M4.5 Earthquake 42 km ENE of Nūrābād, Iran — October 20, 2025
2025-10-20 18:14:23 UTC (2025-10-20) · approx. 9:14 PM UTC+3 local
On October 20, 2025 at 18:14 UTC, a magnitude 4.5 shallow crustal earthquake struck 42 km ENE of Nūrābād, Iran, at a depth of 10.0 km and coordinates 30.2167°, 51.9500°. This earthquake was detected by 55 seismic stations with excellent location accuracy and was assigned a USGS significance rating of 312, placing it among routine seismic activity.
Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 4.5 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 85 metric tons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 767 m — a useful intuition for the size of the slip patch on the fault.
The epicenter is located in Iran, a region characterized by the Zagros fold-and-thrust belt, where the Arabian Plate collides with Eurasia at 20-25 mm per year. The nearest mapped fault system is the Zagros Fault. View all earthquakes in Iran.
Learn more: Magnitude scale · Aftershock sequences
Earthquake Details
51.9500°E
Technical Information
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Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 4.5 earthquake near Nūrābād, Iran?
The magnitude 4.5 earthquake that struck 42 km ENE of Nūrābād, Iran on October 20, 2025 at 18:14 UTC had a depth of 10.0 km. For context, this was a light earthquake commonly felt near the epicenter.
Where did the earthquake occur?
The earthquake epicenter was located at 30.2167°, 51.9500°, which is 42 km ENE of Nūrābād, Iran. View all earthquakes in Iran.
Were there aftershocks?
Aftershock activity is monitored continuously by the USGS. Aftershock sequences from magnitude 4.5 earthquakes can continue for several days and gradually diminish over time.
Has Iran had earthquakes this big before?
The largest recorded earthquake in Iran was the M7.8 Tabas earthquake of September 16, 1978. Today's magnitude 4.5 event is significantly smaller than that historical record.
What should I do after an earthquake?
If you were in the affected area: check yourself and others for injuries, inspect your home for damage, and be prepared for aftershocks. For detailed guidance, see our earthquake safety guide and emergency planning resources.
Authoritative source: USGS event page (event ID: us6000rmmd). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2025, October 20, 2025). M4.5 Earthquake 42 km ENE of Nūrābād, Iran — October 20, 2025. Retrieved May 26, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us6000rmmd/