What the record shows for Iran
The strongest earthquake on record near Iran is a magnitude 7.4 in 1978, centred 52 km ESE of Tabas, Iran - 48 years ago. The event is catalogued by USGS. See the event record.
Over the last 20 years, USGS has catalogued 1,595 earthquakes of magnitude 4 or greater within 555 km of Iran - roughly 80 a year. That rate describes how often the ground moves enough to be recorded, not how often damage occurs; most of these are never felt.
The NOAA NCEI database records 2 tsunamis within 555 km of Iran between 1608 and 1890. The most significant was in 1608 near Caspian Sea, triggered by an M7.6 earthquake, which killed around 3,000 people.
2 volcanoes are catalogued near Iran, including Damavand, Qal'eh Hasan Ali. Volcanic systems generate their own earthquake swarms, which is why activity here can look different from a purely tectonic region.
Sources: USGS earthquake catalog, NOAA tsunami database, and the Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program. Figures update as the catalogs are revised.
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Iran sits on the Arabia–Eurasia collision zone and is one of the most earthquake-prone countries in the world.
The only real protection is a warning the moment the ground moves - which is exactly what the free QuakeMate app gives you, along with tsunami and volcano alerts for Iran.
Earthquake risk in Iran - FAQ
Is Iran at risk of earthquakes?
Yes. On average about 80 quakes a year nearby of magnitude 4+ within 555 km, based on the last 20 years of USGS data. The strongest earthquake on record nearby is M7.4 in 1978.
What was the biggest earthquake in Iran?
The strongest earthquake on record near Iran is M7.4, in 1978 (52 km ESE of Tabas, Iran), from USGS.
Does Iran get tsunamis?
Yes - 2 tsunamis since 1608 (most recently 1890) within 555 km, from the NOAA database. The deadliest killed around 3,000 people.
How do I get earthquake warnings in Iran?
Download the free QuakeMate app for iPhone. It watches your location and sends a real-time push the instant a quake strikes nearby, plus tsunami and volcano alerts, with custom magnitude and distance rules. On Android, join the waitlist.