A magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck the Gulf of Aden off the northeastern coast of Somalia early Friday morning, though its offshore epicentre appears to have spared populated areas from significant damage. The US Geological Survey recorded the tremor at 12:07 a.m. local time on Friday, or 21:07 GMT on Thursday, at a depth of about 10 kilometres. The epicentre, located at approximately 13.27 degrees north and 50.54 degrees east, was about 145 kilometres north of Alula, a coastal town in Somalia’s semi-autonomous Puntland region. Germany’s GFZ Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences also recorded a magnitude 6.0 earthquake at virtually the same time and at an estimated depth of 10 kilometres. Its independent monitoring placed the quake about 165 kilometres north-northwest of the Somali coastal town of Bereeda, and roughly 209 kilometres southeast of the Yemeni port city of Mukalla. Initial assessments indicate a low likelihood of major losses. The USGS issued a Green PAGER alert, which signals a low probability of significant casualties or economic losses. The Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System also assessed the earthquake as likely to have a low humanitarian impact. The USGS ShakeMap estimated the strongest shaking at level IV on the Modified Mercalli Intensity scale. This classification generally corresponds to light shaking. An earthquake of this magnitude can produce significant shaking, but its effects depend on depth, distance from populated areas and local building conditions. USGS data did not indicate a tsunami threat following the earthquake. As of publication, Puntland authorities had not announced any deaths, injuries or significant damage in northeastern Somalia. Although the quake was relatively shallow, its epicentre was well offshore from Somalia’s northeastern coastline. The lack of a tsunami warning brings immediate relief to coastal communities, while people in Soomaaliya and the Somali diaspora who follow events around the Gulf of Aden can continue to watch for updates from Puntland authorities after a strong offshore tremor.