Strong and shallow M5.9 earthquake hits Iran’s southern province of Bushehr

A strong and shallow earthquake registered by the Iranian Seismological Center (ISC) as M5.9 hit Iran's southern province of Bushehr at 06:41 UTC on April 18, 2021. The agency is reporting a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles). USGS and EMSC are reporting M5.8 at a depth of 10 km.

According to the USGS, the epicenter was located 27 km (17 miles) NNE of Bandar-e Genāveh (population 52 750),  65 km (40 miles) S of Dogonbadan (population 94 638), 79 km (49 miles) NW of Borazjan (population 86 059), 90 km (56 miles) WSW of Nurabad (population 64 041), and 92 km (57 miles) N of Bushehr (population 223 500).

There are about 1 260 000 people living within 100 km (62 miles).

2 000 people are estimated to have felt very strong shaking, 75 000 strong, 72 000 moderate, and 1 903 000 light.

The USGS issued a yellow alert for shaking-related fatalities. Some casualties are possible and the impact should be relatively localized. Past events with this alert level have required a local or regional level response.

A green alert was issued for economic losses. There is a low likelihood of damage.

Overall, the population in this region resides in structures that are a mix of vulnerable and earthquake-resistant construction. The predominant vulnerable building type is low-rise nonductile concrete frame with infill construction.

Recent earthquakes in this area have caused secondary hazards such as landslides that might have contributed to losses.

Image credit: TW/SAM, Google

ISC registered 7 aftershocks with magnitudes between 2.6 and 4.5 by 07:30 UTC.

Tasnim news agency reported electricity and telephone/internet outages in the city of Govaneh.

The Iranian government official told Reuters there were no reports of damage at the Bushehr nuclear complex, located about 100 km (62 miles) S of the epicenter.

At least two people were injured in Gonaveh and taken to hospital.

Estimated population exposure to earthquake shaking

Selected cities exposed

Regional seismicity

Featured image credit: TW/SAM, Google