Saudi Arabia residents will soon be able to keep a close eye on (and learn about) upcoming natural calamities in the kingdom.

Saudi Geological Survey (SGS) launched the Geological Risk Base Platform, the first digital scientific platform in the kingdom, aimed to inform and educate the community on natural calamities hazards.

The portal will offer important seismic data for the community and look at expedited agreements and requests from authorities, such as studies and seismic risk assessment in various locations across Saudi Arabia’s regions.

Tariq Aba Al Khail, the spokesman of SGS, commented that the new platform was launched to offer seismic data as a “digital electronic page that includes all the information related to seismic data and maps in and around Saudi Arabia.” 

Besides spreading awareness of geological hazards, the platform will allow users to examine seismic activity data anywhere. It will offer technical solutions to prevent potential future risks and will help support future research to improve infrastructure solutions. 

The platform was introduced by Bandar Alkhorayef, Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources and Chairman of the Board of Directors of SGS, at the Board of Directors meeting. 

In February this year, the SGS monitored an earthquake measuring 4.1 on the Richter scale, with a depth of 16 km, in southeastern Saudi Arabia. Officials noted that, although small earthquakes can occur anywhere in the world, Saudi Arabia is not prone to earthquakes because of its location.