A Magnitude 4.5 Earthquake at a depth of 19.6 km occurred in southern Fars Province, Iran, slightly before 8.30 pm local time (slightly before 4.00 pm GMT) on Sunday 1 September 2013, according to the United States Geological Survey. There are no reports of any casualties or damage arising from this quake, but it was reportedly felt in the city of Shiraz.
The approximate location of the 1 September 2013 Fars Earthquake. Google Maps.
Iran is situated on the southern margin of the Eurasian Plate. Immediately to the south lies the Arabian Plate, which is being pushed northward by the impact of Africa from the south. This has created a zone of faulting and fold mountains along the southwest coast of the country, known as the Zagros Thrust Belt, while to the northeast of this the geology is dominated by three large tectonic blocks, the Central Iran, Lut and Helmand, which move separately in response to pressure from the south, stretching and compressing the rock layers close to the surface and creating frequent Earthquakes, some of which can be very large.
Se also Magnitude 7.8 Earthquake in southeast Iran; high level of casualties expected, Magnitude 6.3 Earthquake in southern Iran kills at least 32, Two major Earthquakes in northeast Iran, leading to heavy death toll and Earthquake in Mojen, northern Iran.
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