Shallow M5.4 earthquake hits Iran – Turkmenistan border region, injuring 25 people

A shallow earthquake registered by the Iran Seismological Center (IRSC) as M5.4 hit North Khorasan Province, Iran at 00:54 UTC (05:24 LT) on May 17, 2021. The agency is reporting a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles). USGS is reporting M5.4 at a depth of 10 km; EMSC M5.3 at the same depth. This is one of 13 M5.5+ earthquakes to hit the province this century.

The epicenter was located 55 km (35 miles) WSW of Bojnurd (population 192 041) and 75 km (46 miles) WNW of Esfarayen, North Khorasan, Iran.

6 000 people are estimated to have felt strong shaking, 40 000 moderate, and 615 000 light.

There were at least 18 moderate to strong aftershocks over the next 19 hours.

Image credit: IRSC

There were no fatalities reported but at least 25 people were injured, IRNA reported.

Some 11 rescue and relief teams and a helicopter have been dispatched to the epicentral area and other affected areas, Tehran Times reported.

The province is located on active and important faults, which sometimes cause destructive earthquakes. The most important fault of North Khorasan is the Esfarayen fault, which is about 170 km (105 miles) long.

Image credit: TW/SAM, Google

Regional seismicity

Featured image credit: TW/SAM, Google