Deep crack across land in Ibri
Posted by Zawya.com
30 January 2010


IBRI: These days Ibri is the most sought-after destination for the scientists and curious residents from in and around the town.

The reason: Three-hundred and-fifty-metre of parched land in the desert village of Al Khuaibiya, approximately 290km from Muscat, has developed one-metre deep crack on 350 metres of earth surface.

Though the crack was developed in April last year, scientists are working round-the-clock since then, to ascertain the reason for this unusual phenomenon.

Ever since the process, there have been speculations that the crack could have been due to earthquake.

But scientists allayed fears that it was the not the result of an earthquake, instead, the cracks must have developed due to dryness of the land.

Dr Issa Al Hussein, director of Meteorology at the University of Sultan Qaboos said that there have been ample queries from the residents and scientists inquiring about the rare phenomenon.

"We have a monitoring station for earthquakes in different regions of the Sultanate, including Ibri, but the station did not record any earthquake," he said, adding, the crack, which happened in Khuaibiya in Ibri was not the result of any earthquake, but the long-term drought that occurred in that region and also because of the nature of the soil in that area.

"The type of the soil in Khuaibiya is soft clay soil so it was natural that these soils dry out for the severity of drought," said the scientist. He pointed out that earthquakes should cause an offset in the ground and cause large and clear signs, which do not exist in the Khuaibiya.

However, the quake centre does not have any concrete study on Khuaibiya owing to lack of monitoring station there, but Dr Issa Al Hussein claimed that the centre has begun a careful study of earthquakes risk in Oman in October 2009, which will last for two years.

Meanwhile, Talib Al Abri, an employee in the government sector, said, "People in Ibri, whoever, are not aware of the earthquake, and its effects are visible." He said as stories make rounds in the village, Khuaibiya was a human habitation for the tribes for hundreds of years, but has now turned into desert, thereafter.

Salim Al Abri, another employee said, "The crack has ceased to go beyond a certain point. The total length of the crack is up to 300 metres and the depth is nearly a-metre-and a- half." He added that many of the visitors come to see the cracks, while his friends have been showing concern about such a rare phenomenon.

By FAHAD AL GHADANI

© Times of Oman 2010

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