Iran struck by 4.8 magnitude earthquake hours after missile attacks in Middle East

Iran has been hit by 4.8 magnitude earthquake amid spiralling tensions with the US and Israel, and less than a week after a quake near the country's nuclear sites. Volcano Discovery says that the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) reported the 10 kilometre depth quake near Shahrud, Semnan Province at 8.38pm local time. The site added: "Magnitude and other quake parameters can still change in the coming hours as the agency continues to process seismic data."

Experts say that a second report was then issued by the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ), which listed the earthquake as 4.5 in magnitude. The citizen-seismograph network of RaspberryShake said it had a magnitude of 4.6.
Volcano Discovery notes that, going by preliminary seismic data, the quake was "probably felt by many people in the area of the epicenter". It is not expected to have caused significant damage, other than objects falling from shelves and windows being broken.

QuakePulse said: "While this magnitude typically doesn't cause significant structural damage, it serves as a reminder of seismic activity.

"Residents should review their earthquake preparedness plans and ensure they have necessary supplies on hand.

"The earthquake has been detected by 128 seismic monitoring stations, contributing to our understanding of seismic activity.

"With a shallow depth classification, this event originated in the Earth's crust, which affects the distribution of seismic energy."

Shahrud has a population of around 131,900, and is located 26 kilometres from the epicenter.

Experts say the quake "should have been felt as light shaking".

Volcano Discovery adds that "weak shaking" might have been felt in Azadshahr, which has a population of 47,600, and is located 60 kilometres from the epicenter, as well as in Damghan, which has a population of 67,700, and is 67 kilometres away

The shaking could also have been noticeable in Bandar-e Torkaman, which has a population of 54,000, which is 74 kilometres away, and Gonbad-e Kavus which has a population of 131,400, and is 76 kilometres away.

It comes after, on Friday, a 5.1 magnitude quake struck northern Iran's Semnan area.

According to the Tasnim News Agency, it happened 27 kilometres southwest of Semnan.

The earthquake struck at a depth of around 10 kilometres.

According to NDTV, it triggered a wave of speculations about whether Tehran has tested a nuclear weapon.

It also reportedly caused concern because it struck near the Semnan Space Center and the Semnan Missile Complex, run by Iran's military.