NAIROBI, Kenya — Kenya’s coast experienced an unexpected jolt Sunday afternoon when a moderate earthquake, measuring a magnitude of 4.5, struck near Mombasa and surrounding towns.

While no major damages have been reported, the tremors gave many residents quite the Sunday surprise — and made a little history in the process.

Shallow Quake Hits Near Mombasa, Felt Across Coastal Towns

According to seismic records, the quake hit the Indian Ocean around 4:17 p.m., with tremors rippling through towns like Kilifi, Vipingo, Watamu, Malindi, Takaungu, and Voi. Mombasa, located roughly 78 kilometers southwest of the epicenter, also felt the shaking, though farther inland — in Nairobi, 427 kilometers away — residents remained blissfully unaware.

While initial reports did not immediately confirm the quake’s depth, data from the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) later pinpointed it at about 10 kilometers deep.

The relatively shallow depth explains why the shaking was more pronounced near the epicenter compared to deeper quakes of similar strength. The earthquake was detected across 13 seismic stations, offering scientists solid readings to study.

Strongest Coastal Quake Since 1995

Sunday’s quake was no small event — it marks the strongest earthquake to rattle Kenya’s coast in over three decades. The last tremor of comparable strength? A magnitude 4.9 quake recorded on February 27, 1995, just 51 kilometers southwest of Sunday’s epicenter.

Kenya’s history with powerful earthquakes is rare but not unheard of. The most powerful quake ever recorded in the country struck in 1990, a magnitude 5.5 event that shook the Indian Ocean early in the morning.

While Sunday’s 4.5 magnitude quake doesn’t quite break records, it does remind coastal Kenya that the earth’s crust is never truly at rest.

Why Earthquakes Happen: A Quick Science Dive

So, what caused Sunday’s surprise? Earthquakes occur when stress builds up along fault lines, usually where tectonic plates meet.

When the pressure becomes too great, the edges slip, releasing energy in the form of seismic waves. That sudden release is what causes the ground to shake — sometimes gently, sometimes violently.

According to the German Research Centre for Geosciences, while tectonic plate movements are slow, their impact can be sudden and dramatic when friction gives way.

Kenya’s coastal region, though not as seismically active as other parts of the world, is still susceptible to these rare but significant geological events.

Final Word: Kenya’s Coastal Wake-Up Call

Sunday’s earthquake served as a stark reminder that even relatively stable regions aren’t immune to nature’s surprises. As Kenya’s coast picks itself up and brushes off the dust, seismic experts are likely to keep a closer eye on the region moving forward.

While most residents experienced only brief moments of shaking — and no reported injuries or damages — the quake stirred a historical footnote that may lead to deeper studies of Kenya’s coastal seismic risks.