Recent earthquakes in Iran
Iran lies in the broad collision zone between the Arabian and Eurasian plates, folded and faulted across the Zagros Mountains in the southwest and the Alborz range in the north. This convergence produces frequent shallow earthquakes throughout the country. The 1990 Manjil-Rudbar earthquake (M7.4) and the 2003 Bam earthquake (M6.6) were among its most destructive. In the past 24 hours, Iran has recorded no earthquakes above the reporting threshold.
Counts include M2.5+ events — the smallest size USGS reports consistently worldwide.
Recent earthquakes
| Magnitude | Time (UTC) | Depth | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| M4.3 | Jul 26, 00:16 UTC | 81 km | 38 km N of Kūh Sefīd, Iran |
Notable recent activity
An M4.3 earthquake struck 38 km N of Kūh Sefīd, Iran at 00:16 UTC on Jul 26 at a depth of 81 km.
Frequently asked questions
Why does Iran have so many earthquakes?
Iran sits where the Arabian Plate pushes into Eurasia, compressing the crust across the Zagros and Alborz mountains and a network of active faults. This ongoing collision produces frequent shallow earthquakes across much of the country.
How often do earthquakes strike Iran?
Iran records many felt earthquakes each year and a damaging event on average every few years. Because many faults run near densely populated cities built partly of vulnerable masonry, even moderate earthquakes can be deadly.
What was the deadliest earthquake in Iran?
The June 21, 1990 Manjil-Rudbar earthquake, magnitude 7.4, killed roughly 40,000 people in northern Iran. The December 26, 2003 Bam earthquake (M6.6) destroyed the historic city of Bam and killed about 26,000.
Nearby regions
Live data from the USGS earthquake feeds. Magnitudes and depths are automated readings and may be revised. Not for emergency use.