2022 West Azerbaijan earthquake
UTC time | 2022-10-05 00:21:29 |
---|---|
ISC event | 624850002 |
USGS-ANSS | ComCat |
Local date | 5 October 2022 |
Local time | 03:51 (UTC+3:30) |
Magnitude | 5.6 Mw |
Depth | 15 km (9.3 mi) |
Epicenter | 38°30′40″N 45°02′17″E / 38.511°N 45.038°ECoordinates: 38°30′40″N 45°02′17″E / 38.511°N 45.038°E |
Type | Oblique-reverse |
Areas affected | Iran |
Max. intensity | VII (Very strong) |
Casualties | 1,127 injured |
On 5 October 2022, an earthquake with a moment magnitude of 5.6 occurred in the Iranian province of West Azerbaijan, about 8 kilometers east-southeast of Khoy.
Tectonic setting
Iran lies within the complicated zone of continental collision between the Arabian and Eurasian Plates, which extends from the Zagros fold and thrust belt in the south to the Caucasus mountains and the Kopet Dag mountains to the north. In northwestern Iran, the Arabian Plate is moving at about 20 mm per year relative to the Eurasian Plate. Deformation near the city of Tabriz is dominated by the North Tabriz Fault, a WNW-ESE trending right-lateral strike-slip fault, which has been responsible for seven major earthquakes of magnitude 6 or higher since 858 AD. Other known active faults include a W-E trending fault between the cities of Ahar and Heris. This same setting was responsible for a magnitude 6.4 earthquake in August 2012, killing at least 38 and injuring more than 3,200, 268 of which died later in hospitals.
Earthquake
The earthquake occurred near the city of Khoy, and was preceded by a magnitude 5.1 foreshock two weeks prior. The observed focal mechanism indicates oblique-reverse faulting was responsible.
Impact
At least 1,127 people were injured, of whom 135 required treatment. Some 112 houses were completely destroyed and 450 were damaged in the city of Khoy. However, only one injury was caused by falling debris.