Shallow M5.6 Earthquake hit near Khowy in Iran on Friday Morning.

Written by Earthquakelist.org on March 24th, 2023. Last updated May 22nd, 2023.

In the morning of Friday March 24th, 2023, a shallow and significant Magnitude 5.6 earthquake hit under land 16 kilometer from Khowy in Iran. Shaking may have been felt by a total of 16 million people. Other nearby countries are Azerbaijan, Türkiye, Armenia and Iraq.

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Earthquake Summary

The earthquake struck on land in Iran, 16 kilometer (10 mi) southwest of Khowy in West Azerbaijan. The center of this earthquake had a very shallow depth of 17 km. Shallow earthquakes usually have a larger impact than earthquakes deep in the earth.

Date and Time:	Mar 24, 2023 07:46 (Tehran Time) - Mar 24, 2023 03:16 Universal Time.
Location:	16 km SW of Khowy, West Azerbaijan, Iran. Coordinates 38°26'44"N 44°50'3"E.
Map:	Map of area around epicenter. Click to open in Google Maps.
Magnitude:	MAG 5.6 Detected by 43 stations. Maximum Error Range ±0.047 .
Depth:	17 km (11 mi) A very shallow depth.
Max. Intensity:	VII Very Strong On the Modified Mercalli Scale.
Tsunami Risk:	Tsunami very unlikely While this was a shallow earthquake, it appears to have occurred under land with a magnitude not strong enough to cause tsunami's. Always stay cautious - More info here.

Minimal impact predicted

The US Geographic Survey (USGS) describes the impact of this earthquake as follows:

At least 165 persons injured, two homes destroyed, 78 damaged and landslides reported in the Khoy - Salmas area.

Based on scientific estimates by the USGS, the risk of high fatalities for this earthquake is classified at level GREEN (low). They expect an 65% likelyhood of between 0 and 1 fatalities, and a 96% chance that the number of fatalities falls no higher than 10.

The USGS classifies the economic impact of this earthquake at level GREEN (low). They expect an 100% likelyhood of between 0 and 1 million US Dollars in economic damage and impact.

Roughly 16 million people exposed to shaking

An estimated 16 million have been exposed to shaking (An MMI or Modified Mercalli Intensity level II or higher) as a result of this earthquake according scientific estimates published by the USGS.

Strong shaking and probably light damage may have been experienced by an estimated 55,830 people. At VI, it is the highest MMI level this earthquake has caused. Intensity level III was experienced by the majority of people (around 12 million). In their region, weak shaking and probably no damage can be expected.

People in 5 countries have been exposed to shaking. In Iran , around 7 million people, with impact levels up to VI (strong shaking, probably light damage). Roughly 2.5 million people were exposed to shaking in Türkiye . In Azerbaijan , around 1.3 million people. A smaller number of people were exposed in the following countries: Iraq and Armenia.

Nearby towns and cities

Iran , Azerbaijan , Türkiye , Armenia and Iraq are all located within 300km distance of the epicenter of the earthquake.

The closest significant population center near the earthquake is Khowy in West Azerbaijan, Iran. Khowy is located 16 kilometer (10 mi) southwest of the epicenter. The intensity of shaking and damage in Khowy is estimated to be around level V on the Modified Mercalli Intensity scale (moderate shaking, very light damage).

Multiple large cities are in proximity of today's earthquake. Khowy is located 16 km to the north-east and experienced an intensity of V (moderate shaking, very light damage). Tabriz is located 134 km to the east-southeast and experienced an intensity of III (weak shaking, probably no damage). Al Mawşil al Jadīdah is located 280 km to the south-southwest (intensity unknown, possibly low).

The table below provides an overview of all places in proximity of today's earthquake. Where available, the estimated intensity on the Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale in each place is included. Places where this information is omitted likely experienced little impact.

Overview of nearby places

Earthquake Intensity Map

The maximum intensity (MMI Scale) caused by this earthquake is VI. The map below shows in which areas this earthquake was the most and least impactful. It is based on data from the US Geographic Survey.

I Not felt

II Weak

III Weak

IV Light

V Moderate

VI Strong

VII Very Strong

VIII Severe

IX Violent

X Extreme

Shaking reported by 53 people in 5 countries

People that feel an earthquake may report their experience to the US Geographic Survey. Currently, 53 people have reported shaking in 15 places in 5 countries (Egypt, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Iran, Iraq).We keep updating this article as more ground reports become available. You may report that you felt this earthquake here.

Places with most reports:

• Tebriz, Azarbayejān-e Sharqi, Iran: 19 people.
• Khoi, Azarbayejān-e Gharbi, Iran: 11 people.
• Merand, Azarbayejān-e Sharqi, Iran: 5 people.
• Orumiyeh, Azarbayejān-e Gharbi, Iran: 4 people.
• Dilman, Azarbayejān-e Gharbi, Iran: 2 people.
• Azar Shahr, Azarbayejān-e Sharqi, Iran: 2 people.
• Irbīl, Irbīl, Iraq: 2 people.
• El Mansura, ad-Daqahlīyah, Egypt: 1 person.
• Şahbuz, Şahbuz, Azerbaijan: 1 person.
• Tbilisi, Tiflis, Georgia: 1 person.

5 Aftershocks detected

Since this main shock, 5 smaller aftershocks were detected. A 3.4 magnitude earthquake hit 1 day later 35 km (22 mi) east-southeast of this earthquake.

In the days before this main shock, 2 smaller foreshocks were detected. A 3.4 magnitude earthquake hit 3 days earlier nearby.

Overview of foreshocks and aftershocks

More earthquakes coming?

Aftershocks are usually at least 1 order of magnitude less strong than main shocks. The more time passes, the smaller the chance and likely strength of any potential aftershocks.

In only six percent of cases, significant earthquakes are followed by a larger main shock, making the current earthquake a foreshock. While the chance of this happening is not so large, it is adviced to maintain cautiousness in the hours and days following a major earthquake.

Earthquakes like this are common in the region

Earthquakes of this strength occur quite regularly in the region. This is the strongest earthquake to hit since January 28th, 2023, when a 5.9 magnitude earthquake hit 7 km (4 mi) further east-southeast. An even stronger magnitude 6 earthquake struck on February 23rd, 2020.

In total, 5 earthquakes with a magnitude of 5.6 or higher have been registered within 300km (186 mi) of this epicenter in the past 10 years. This comes down to an average of once every 2 years.

Tsunami very unlikely

While MAG-6.5+ earthquakes may cause tsunami's, it appears that the epicenter of this earthquake hit under land. In addition, the reported depth is deeper than 100km, making the risk of a tsunami even less likely. However always stay cautious and monitor advice from local authorities.

Tsunami Risk Factors

Sources

Last updated 22/05/23 11:37 (). As more information on this earthquake becomes available this article will be updated. This article is automatically composed based on data originating from multiple sources.

1. US Geographic Society (USGS): Earthquake us7000jmbi
2. European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC): Earthquake 20230324_0000029
3. Geonames.org: World Cities Database
4. Google Maps: Static API
5. Earthquakelist.org: Historic Earthquakes Database

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