The United States Geological Survey recorded a Magnitude 4.9 Earthquake at a depth of 36.2 km on the coast of western Hormozgān Province in southern Iran, slightly after 12.00 noon local time (slightly after 8.30 am GMT) on Thursday 9 January 2013. The quake was reportedly felt on Kish Island in the Persian Gulf, though there are no reports of any damage or injuries associated with this event.
The approximate location of the 9 January 2013 Hormozgān Province 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.
The population of Iran is particularly at risk from Earthquakes as, unlike most other Earthquake-prone nations, very few buildings in the country are quake-resistant. The majority of residential buildings in Iran are made of mud-brick, a building material particularly vulnerable to Earthquakes as the bricks often liquify, trapping people inside and quickly asphyxiating them with dust. This is particularly dangerous at night when the majority of people are inside sleeping.
See also One person killed and around 30 injured following Magnitude 5.5 Earthquake in Hormozgan Province, Iran, Two Earthquakes in southern Iran, Magnitude 4.8 Earthquake in Markazi Province, eastern Iran, Magnitude 4.2 Earthquake in Khuzestan Province, southwest Iran and Magnitude 4.4 Earthquake in northwest Iran.
