Shocking Surge: Over 130 Earthquakes Rock the Region in Just One Week!

In a startling report, a total of 133 earthquakes were documented across Iran between February 15 and 21, highlighting the seismic activity that characterizes this region. The findings come from the seismological networks of the Institute of Geophysics at the University of Tehran, underscoring the need for awareness and preparedness in the face of natural disasters.

During this period, the recorded earthquakes varied in intensity:

• 118 earthquakes had magnitudes smaller than 3
• 13 earthquakes ranged between 3 and 4
• 1 earthquake fell between 4 and 5
• 1 earthquake registered between 5 and 6

Notably, one significant earthquake measured 5.4 on the Richter scale, which struck Khuzestan province on February 16.

When examining the provinces, Kerman experienced the highest seismic activity with 13 earthquakes. Other provinces followed closely:

• Khorasan Razavi: 11 earthquakes
• Fars: 11 earthquakes
• Yazd: 10 earthquakes
• Khuzestan: 10 earthquakes

Interestingly, no seismic events were recorded in East Azarbaijan, West Azarbaijan, Ardabil, Alborz, Sistan-Baluchestan, Qom, Gilan, Qazvin, Zanjan, and Hormozgan during this timeframe.

Expanding the scope of the data, a staggering 6,949 earthquakes occurred across Iran in the past calendar year (from March 2023 to March 2024). The Institute of Geophysics at the University of Tehran reported that most earthquakes were concentrated in the following provinces:

• Khorasan Razavi (northeastern)
• Kerman (southeastern)
• West Azarbaijan (northwestern)
• South Khorasan (eastern)

In terms of magnitude distribution, the statistics reveal:

• 2,268 earthquakes were less than 2 on the Richter scale
• 3,685 earthquakes ranged between 2 and 3
• 796 earthquakes fell between 3 and 4
• 181 earthquakes were between 4 and 5
• 22 earthquakes were between 5 and 6
• 5 earthquakes registered between 6 and 7

The Iranian plateau lies in a highly seismically active zone, making it prone not only to catastrophic earthquakes but also to various natural hazards. According to Mehdi Zare, a professor of engineering seismology, about 2 percent of the world’s earthquakes occur in Iran. However, the country accounts for over 6% of the global earthquake-related fatalities reported during the 20th century, indicating a significant vulnerability.

Iran has entered a decade marked by increased seismic activity since the Iranian calendar year 1396 (March 2017 – March 2018). This trend is attributed to the Iranian plateau shrinking at a rate of 30 millimeters per year, as explained by Professor Zare from the International Institute of Earthquake Engineering and Seismology (IIEES).

The Strait of Hormuz region in southern Iran exhibits the highest seismic activity, linked to the ongoing convergent movement between the Arabian plate and the central continental plate of Iran. This geological dynamic raises concerns about the potential for devastating earthquakes in the area.

Moreover, Tehran stands out as one of the most hazardous metropolises globally regarding natural disaster risks, including earthquakes, floods, subsidence, drought, landslides, and fire following an earthquake. The city’s nighttime population exceeds 8,300,000, comprising a mix of old, non-resistant structures and modern high-rise buildings, which collectively heighten the city’s vulnerability.

As seismic activity continues to pose a risk, it is imperative for residents and authorities to prioritize disaster preparedness and infrastructure resilience to mitigate the effects of future earthquakes.