In the evening of Monday May 22nd, 2023, a shallow M4.5 earthquake hit under land 100 kilometer from Ardabīl in Iran. Other countries near the epicenter include Azerbaijan, Armenia and Iraq.
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Earthquake Summary
The earthquake struck on land in Iran, 100 kilometer (62 mi) southwest of Ardabīl. The center of this earthquake had a very shallow depth of 10 km. Shallow earthquakes usually have a larger impact than earthquakes deep in the earth.
| Date and Time: | May 22, 2023 22:06 (Tehran Time) - May 22, 2023 17:36 Universal Time. |
|---|---|
| Location: | 100 km SW of Ardabīl, Iran. Coordinates 37°32'6"N 47°36'20"E. |
| Map: |  Map of area around epicenter. Click to open in Google Maps. |
| Magnitude: | MAG 4.5 Detected by 54 stations. Maximum Error Range ±0.074 . |
| Depth: | 10 km (6 mi) A very shallow depth. |
| 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. |
Impact
The US Geographic Survey (USGS) describes the impact of this earthquake as follows:
At least 18 people injured, 3 homes destroyed and 439 homes damaged in the Mianeh-Sarab area.
Nearby towns and cities
This earthquake struck within proximity of multiple countries. Iran , Azerbaijan , Armenia and Iraq are all within 300km distance of its epicenter. Futher away, this earthquake may also have been felt in Türkiye.
The closest significant population center near the earthquake is Hashtrūd in East Azerbaijan, Iran. Hashtrūd is located 49 kilometer (30 mi) east of the epicenter.
Multiple large cities are in proximity of today's earthquake. Tabriz is located 130 km to the west-northwest. Ardabīl is located 100 km to the north-east. Rasht is located 178 km to the east.
An overview of nearby towns and cities is available in the overview below.
Overview of nearby places
| Distance | Place |
|---|---|
| 49 km (30 mi) W from epicenter |
Hashtrūd East Azerbaijan, Iran. |
| 82 km (51 mi) E from epicenter |
Khalkhāl Ardabīl, Iran. |
| 100 km (62 mi) NE from epicenter |
Ardabīl Ardabīl, Iran. |
| 115 km (71 mi) NNW from epicenter |
Ahar East Azerbaijan, Iran. |
| 118 km (73 mi) ENE from epicenter |
Hashtpar Gīlān, Iran. |
| 124 km (77 mi) SE from epicenter |
Zanjān Zanjan, Iran. |
| 130 km (81 mi) WNW from epicenter |
Tabriz East Azerbaijan, Iran. |
| 132 km (82 mi) SW from epicenter |
Shāhīn Dezh West Azerbaijan, Iran. |
| 133 km (83 mi) SSW from epicenter |
Takāb West Azerbaijan, Iran. |
| 138 km (86 mi) W from epicenter |
Bonāb East Azerbaijan, Iran. |
| 147 km (91 mi) WSW from epicenter |
Mīāndoāb West Azerbaijan, Iran. |
| 149 km (93 mi) NE from epicenter |
Āstārā Gīlān, Iran. |
| 151 km (94 mi) W from epicenter |
Ajab Shīr East Azerbaijan, Iran. |
| 151 km (94 mi) NE from epicenter |
Astara Astara, Azerbaijan. |
| 155 km (96 mi) ESE from epicenter |
Fūman Gīlān, Iran. |
| 164 km (102 mi) E from epicenter |
Bandar-e Anzalī Gīlān, Iran. |
| 168 km (104 mi) SW from epicenter |
Būkān West Azerbaijan, Iran. |
| 174 km (108 mi) NE from epicenter |
Lankaran Lankaran Sahari, Azerbaijan. |
| 178 km (111 mi) E from epicenter |
Rasht Gīlān, Iran. |
| 182 km (113 mi) ESE from epicenter |
Manjīl Gīlān, Iran. |
| 183 km (114 mi) ESE from epicenter |
Pādegān-e Manjīl Gīlān, Iran. |
| 185 km (115 mi) S from epicenter |
Bījār Kordestān, Iran. |
| 186 km (116 mi) SW from epicenter |
Saqqez Kordestān, Iran. |
| 188 km (117 mi) WSW from epicenter |
Mahābād West Azerbaijan, Iran. |
| 189 km (117 mi) WNW from epicenter |
Marand East Azerbaijan, Iran. |
| 194 km (121 mi) SE from epicenter |
Alvand Zanjan, Iran. |
| 202 km (126 mi) NNE from epicenter |
Jalilabad Jalilabad, Azerbaijan. |
| 204 km (127 mi) SE from epicenter |
Khorramdarreh Zanjan, Iran. |
| 207 km (129 mi) WSW from epicenter |
Naqadeh West Azerbaijan, Iran. |
| 209 km (130 mi) E from epicenter |
Āstāneh-ye Ashrafīyeh Gīlān, Iran. |
| 211 km (131 mi) SE from epicenter |
Abhar Zanjan, Iran. |
| 213 km (132 mi) NNW from epicenter |
Kapan Syunik, Armenia. |
| 223 km (139 mi) W from epicenter |
Orūmīyeh West Azerbaijan, Iran. |
| 228 km (142 mi) E from epicenter |
Langarūd Gīlān, Iran. |
| 229 km (142 mi) NNE from epicenter |
Pushkino Bilǝsuvar, Azerbaijan. |
| 229 km (142 mi) WSW from epicenter |
Oshnavīyeh West Azerbaijan, Iran. |
| 230 km (143 mi) SW from epicenter |
Bāneh Kordestān, Iran. |
| 233 km (145 mi) N from epicenter |
Fizuli Füzuli, Azerbaijan. |
| 237 km (147 mi) WSW from epicenter |
Piranshahr West Azerbaijan, Iran. |
| 237 km (147 mi) N from epicenter |
Pārsābād Ardabīl, Iran. |
| 247 km (153 mi) SE from epicenter |
Tākestān Qazvīn, Iran. |
| 249 km (155 mi) N from epicenter |
Beylagan Beyləqan, Azerbaijan. |
| 250 km (155 mi) NE from epicenter |
Neftçala Neftçala, Azerbaijan. |
| 253 km (157 mi) SSW from epicenter |
Sanandaj Kordestān, Iran. |
| 256 km (159 mi) ESE from epicenter |
Qazvin Qazvīn, Iran. |
| 258 km (160 mi) SSW from epicenter |
Marīvān Kordestān, Iran. |
| 258 km (160 mi) WNW from epicenter |
Khowy West Azerbaijan, Iran. |
| 258 km (160 mi) NNW from epicenter |
Şuşa Shusha City, Azerbaijan. |
| 259 km (161 mi) NNE from epicenter |
Salyan Salyan, Azerbaijan. |
| 260 km (162 mi) WNW from epicenter |
Salmās West Azerbaijan, Iran. |
| 263 km (163 mi) N from epicenter |
Imishli İmişli, Azerbaijan. |
| 264 km (164 mi) NNW from epicenter |
Xankandi Xankǝndi, Azerbaijan. |
| 264 km (164 mi) S from epicenter |
Qorveh Kordestān, Iran. |
| 265 km (165 mi) SE from epicenter |
Alvand Qazvīn, Iran. |
| 267 km (166 mi) NW from epicenter |
Nakhchivan Nakhichevan, Azerbaijan. |
| 275 km (171 mi) NNE from epicenter |
Saatlı Saatlı, Azerbaijan. |
| 279 km (173 mi) NNW from epicenter |
Ağdam Ağdam, Azerbaijan. |
| 280 km (174 mi) N from epicenter |
Agdzhabedy Ağcabǝdi, Azerbaijan. |
| 285 km (177 mi) NNE from epicenter |
Sabirabad Sabirabad, Azerbaijan. |
| 289 km (180 mi) WSW from epicenter |
Soran Arbīl, Iraq. |
| 289 km (180 mi) WSW from epicenter |
Hajiawa Halabja Governorate, Iraq. |
| 291 km (181 mi) NNE from epicenter |
Şirvan Shirvan, Azerbaijan. |
| 293 km (182 mi) W from epicenter |
Yüksekova Hakkâri, Türkiye. |
| 293 km (182 mi) SW from epicenter |
As Sulaymānīyah Halabja Governorate, Iraq. |
| 299 km (186 mi) SSW from epicenter |
Pāveh Kermānshāh, Iran. |
Shaking reported by 3 people
People that feel an earthquake may report their experience to the US Geographic Survey. Currently, 3 people have reported shaking in 2 places in Iran.We keep updating this article as more ground reports become available. You may report that you felt this earthquake here.
Places with most reports:
- Sarāb, Azarbayejān-e Sharqi, Iran: 2 people.
- Sandjan, Zanjān, Iran: 1 person.
Risk of aftershocks?
This earthquake did not have any significant foreshocks nor aftershocks occurring within 100km (62 mi) of its epicenter.
The risk of aftershocks decreases rapidly over time. Usually, aftershocks are at least one order of magnitude lower than a main shock.
The chance that a significant earthquake like this one is followed by an even larger earthquake is not so large. On average, scientists estimate a 94% chance that a major earthquake will not be followed by an even larger one. It is still adviced to be aware of this risk
Read: How to Stay Safe during an Earthquake (cdc.gov).Earthquakes like this happen often in the region
Earthquakes of this strength are very common in the region. This is the strongest earthquake to hit since March 24th, 2023, when a 5.6 magnitude earthquake hit 262 km (163 mi) further west-northwest. An even stronger magnitude 5.9 earthquake struck on January 28th, 2023.
In total, 40 earthquakes with a magnitude of 4.5 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 3 months.
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
| Factor | Under Sea? | MAG-6.5 or stronger? | Shallow depth? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Explanation | Almost all tsunami's are caused by earthquakes with their epicenter under sea or very near the sea. However stay cautious in coastal areas as earthquakes on land may cause landslides into sea, potentially still causing a local tsunami. | Under MAG 6.5: Very unlikely to cause a tsunami. MAG 6.5 to 7.5: Destructive tsunami's do occur, but are uncommon. Likely to observe small sea level changes. MAG 7.6+: Earthquakes with these magnitudes might produce destructive tsunami's. |
Most destructive tsunami's are caused by shallow earthquakes with a depth between 0 and 100km under the surface of the earth. Deeper tsunami's are unlikely to displace to ocean floor. |
| This Earthquake | Not this earthquake. This earthquake appears to have struck on land far from any coast. |
Not this earthquake. This earthquake had a magnitude of 4.5. Earthquakes of this strength are unlikely to trigger a tsunami. |
This earthquake occurred at a depth of of 10 km (6 mi). Earthquakes this shallow could trigger a tsunami. |
Sources
Last updated 21/07/23 11:17 (). This article contains currently available information about the earthquake and is automatically composed. We continue to update this article up to a few days after the earthquake occurred.
- US Geographic Society (USGS): Earthquake us7000k30u
- European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC): Earthquake 20230522_0000198
- Geonames.org: World Cities Database
- Google Maps: Static API
- Earthquakelist.org: Historic Earthquakes Database
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