Northern Iran rattled by 5.1 magnitude earthquake near Sorkheh, no loss of life reported

A moderate earthquake measuring 5.1 on the Richter scale struck close to Sorkheh city in Semnan Province, shaking parts of northern Iran earlier today. The tremors, recorded at a depth of around 35 kilometers, were noticeable across the region but no serious damage or injuries have been reported as of now.

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The European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) confirmed the seismic activity, noting that the quake originated from a moderately shallow depth, which can often cause wider surface vibrations without necessarily resulting in destruction. Residents briefly evacuated homes as a precaution, but normalcy quickly returned.

Iran lies in a highly active seismic zone due to its position along the Alpine-Himalayan fault line, where the Arabian Plate collides with the Eurasian Plate. This geotectonic setting contributes to frequent earthquakes, with the country experiencing over 2,000 tremors annually, several of which exceed magnitude 5.

This tremor follows a pattern of recent quakes in Iran: one of magnitude 4.2 near Kashmar in Razavi Khorasan on June 19, and another of the same strength near Borazjan in Bushehr Province on June 17. While these quakes have caused no major damage, they highlight the region’s ongoing vulnerability.