More than 6,000 earthquakes have been recorded in Iran and nearby borders during the first 11 months of 2023, according to the Iranian Seismological Center.
“6,610 small and moderate earthquakes have occurred in Iran and its surrounding borders in the past 11 months,” the Iranian Seismological Center said.
“Razavi Khorasan, Kerman, Urmia and South Khorasan provinces have experienced the highest number of earthquakes,” the Center said.
During the same period, Tehran experienced 83 small earthquakes ranging from magnitudes 2.1 to 3.5.
Iran, owing to its geographical positioning, stands as one of the most seismically active regions globally. Approximately 15% of the world’s earthquakes are recorded in Iran, attributed to the collision between the Eurasian (Europe-Asian) plates.
Three major earthquakes have occurred in Iran’s recent history. The first one, in 1962, measured 7.2 in magnitude and resulted in the deaths of over 12,000 people. This was followed by the devastating 2003 Bam earthquake in the eastern Kerman province, which killed more than 34,000 individuals and injured over 50,000.
In 2017, an earthquake hit Sarpol-e Zahab in Kermanshah province, claiming the lives of 574 people and injuring 9,388, and it destroyed over 10,000 houses.
