Iran Records 128 Quakes in One Week, Two Hit 4.7 Magnitude

What the numbers tell us

From Sept 13 to Sept 19, the Institute of Geophysics at the University of Tehran’s seismological network counted Iran earthquakes totaling 128. The bulk—105—were tiny, below magnitude 3, meaning they barely registered on most people’s phones. Nineteen fell in the 3‑to‑4 range, and four landed between 4 and 5 on the Richter scale.

The week’s headline events were two identical 4.7‑magnitude quakes that struck Fars province on the 18th and again on the 19th. While not catastrophic, they were strong enough to be felt across nearby towns and prompted a brief surge in local news coverage.

Where the shaking happened most

Kerman province led the pack with 17 recorded tremors, making it the hotspot for the period. Close behind were Khorasan Razavi and North Khorasan, each logging 13 quakes. Tehran province, the capital’s region, reported just one minor event.

Some provinces kept their calm. No earthquakes were logged in Ardabil, Alborz, Ilam, Chaharmahal‑Bakhtiari, Zanjan, Qazvin, Kordestan, Kermanshah, Gilan or Hamedan.

For perspective, the past calendar year (Mar 2024‑Mar 2025) saw 6,272 quakes across Iran. Of those, 150 broke the 4‑magnitude barrier, and the country averaged at least five quakes above 4.5 each month.

Iran sits on the Iranian plateau, a slice of one of the world’s most active seismic zones. Though the nation accounts for only about 2 % of global earthquakes, it suffered over 6 % of the world’s earthquake victims in the 20th century—a stark reminder of how geography can magnify human impact.

Understanding these patterns helps authorities and residents prepare better. Even modest quakes can damage poorly built structures, and clusters of small tremors often precede larger events. Monitoring agencies continue to refine early‑warning systems, but public awareness remains a crucial line of defense.

• Highest activity: Kerman (17 quakes)
• Second‑tier activity: Khorasan Razavi, North Khorasan (13 each)
• Notable strong quakes: Two 4.7‑magnitude events in Fars
• Quiet provinces: 10 regions reported zero quakes this week
• Annual context: 6,272 quakes, 150 above magnitude 4

While the week’s numbers may look high, most were too weak to cause damage. Still, they underline Iran’s constant dance with the Earth’s shifting plates and the need for continued vigilance.