M6 Earthquake Near Somalia: Submarine Cables Stable, No Connectivity Disruptions Detected
Earthquake off the Coast of Somalia
An earthquake with a magnitude of M6 occurred on August 28, 2026, at 00:07:38 UTC. The epicenter was located approximately 145 km to the north of Caluula city in Somalia. The event was recorded near a strategically important area where several submarine cables pass, providing connectivity between African, Middle Eastern, and Asian regions.
Submarine Cables in the Event Zone
Within 500 km from the earthquake's epicenter, there are three major submarine cables:
- Djibouti Africa Regional Express 1 (DARE 1), with a length of 4854 km and commissioned in 2021. This cable connects Djibouti to Bosaso, Somalia (265.7 km from the epicenter) and further to other nodes in the region.
- Gulf2Africa (G2A), measuring 1500 km long and operational since 2017. The cable links Bosaso, Somalia, with key points such as Djibouti and Yemen.
- FALCON, one of the oldest cables in the region, with a length of 10300 km and commissioned in 2006. This cable passes through an node in Al Ghaydah, Yemen, located approximately 371.9 km from the epicenter.
Network Stability Measurements
Our monitoring systems record stable delay indicators (RTT) for all three cables in the event zone. DARE 1 shows an average RTT of about 45 ms, G2A - 50 ms, and FALCON - 65 ms. These values correspond to the basic network characteristics and do not demonstrate deviations related to the earthquake.
Thus, the infrastructure in the event zone demonstrated stability, continuing to provide reliable communication between regions.
Impact on Global Connectivity
Cables passing near the epicenter play a crucial role in connecting East Africa with the Middle East and Asia. The stable operation of DARE 1, G2A, and FALCON allows avoiding traffic disruptions and guarantees uninterrupted data transmission for operators and users.
The actual location of the cables along the coast and their structural features ensure stability against seismic events, which is particularly important for regions with increased seismic activity.
Plans for Further Monitoring
We will continue to monitor the RTT indicators and other cable performance parameters in the event zone. Special attention will be given to DARE 1 and G2A, considering their proximity to the epicenter. Additionally, further checks will be conducted to identify any potential long-term effects, such as soil changes or cable displacements.
Monitoring of submarine infrastructure remains a key tool for ensuring its reliability in natural disasters.
