The panic that gripped residents of the southern parts of the Kingdom didn’t exactly come as a surprise to seismic experts when an earthquake with a magnitude of 5.1 on the Richter scale hit southeast Sibya in Jazan recently.
The 65 observatories of the National Center for Earthquakes and Volcanoes have been registering weak tremors that can only be recorded by its equipment.
The most quake-prone areas are between Madinah and the border village of Haql, and the aligning coastal lines, because of the existence of rifts like the Red Sea Rift, the Dead Sea Rift, and the Gulf of Aqaba.
Most earthquake activities are concentrated in Harat Al-Shaqah, north of Yanbu, which is described as the field of volcanic basalt belonging to the Holocene geological age.
Observatories monitored 30,000 tremors during 2007, and in May 2009, the observatories recorded significant volcanic activities by registering 950 tremors in three weeks, including the earthquake with a magnitude of 5.6 degrees on the Richter scale in Al-Eis town.
In 1995, an earthquake with a magnitude of 7.2 on the Richter scale occurred next to Haql town, followed by a series of aftershocks in Tabuk and Al-Bada’ center. Local sources said two people were killed in the earthquake and subsequent aftershocks. Aftershocks were estimated at 3,000 and continued for three months, and 90 of them were significant.
The area has had many earthquakes that led to the death of many people. An earthquake in Taima killed 20,000 people. More than 300 earthquakes hit the southern parts of the Kingdom from 1900 to 2006 with varying strengths of 3 and 6.6 degrees on the Richter scale.
Geologists say it’s hard to predict earthquakes, but there are some indications about seismic activity such as the rise or drop in ground-water levels, or the changing color of well waters. Sometimes low mist with sulfurous odor and strange animal behavior indicate earthquake activity.
Madinah and Haql areas found to be quake-prone
Madinah and Haql areas found to be quake-prone
Little Farm: A Countryside Escape in the Heart of Jeddah
- The farm provides a pleasant setting for capturing memorable photos, especially when children encounter farm animals for the first time
During weekends, I always like to take my 18-month-old son somewhere that stimulates his senses and curiosity. While searching for family-friendly farms in Jeddah, I discovered Little Farm, located in the Al-Manarat district. With a 4.2 rating, it seemed like a convenient nearby option.
My first impression upon entering was very positive. The venue also hosts children’s themed parties, and the cashier explained the available activities, which cater to children as young as one year old. Visitors can access the animal farm area starting from SR39 for both adults and children.
Older children can participate in interactive experiences such as goat milking, which is offered for an additional fee. Visitors can also explore dedicated rabbit and cat halls, both available at an extra charge. These halls allow children to interact with animals from various breeds in a safe environment, under the supervision of trained animal specialists. Another section of the venue is the vertical farm zone, where families can explore hanging fruits and vegetables and learn about modern farming methods.
I purchased tickets for the animal farm and paid an additional SR25 for a basket of animal feed, which included cattle feed, bird food, clover, grains and lettuce. Visitors can keep the reusable straw basket for future visits. The dark brown basket with a blue base adds to the countryside aesthetic. The farm opens daily to visitors at 4:30 p.m.
The maze-like entrance creates the atmosphere of a secret garden. Visitors are first greeted by a group of large turkeys, loudly announcing their presence. I quickly moved toward the duck pond, as ducks are my son’s favorite birds. We enjoyed feeding them lettuce by the water. Both the ducks and the pond were clean, and the experience was enjoyable enough that my son wanted to stay there for the rest of the visit.
We then moved to the turtle enclosure, where the animals appeared active and eager to be fed. In the goat section, children were allowed to hold a baby goat, which quickly became a highlight for many families. We also fed goats and sheep, the farm indeed provided an engaging and educational experience for children. Ponies, cows, donkeys and geese were also there.
The farm provides a pleasant setting for capturing memorable photos, especially when children encounter farm animals for the first time. The reactions are truly priceless.
The animal shelters were clean and spacious, and the farm offers a good variety of animals. Staff members were helpful and welcoming, and overall prices were reasonable for the experience offered. For more information, check the farm’s Instagram account @littlefarmksa.
