M4.9 Earthquake 36 km SSW of Sarpol-e Z̄ahāb, Iran — May 5, 2026
2026-05-05 20:53:20 UTC (2026-05-05) · approx. 11:53 PM UTC+3 local
Felt by 3 people across nearby locations.
On May 5, 2026 at 20:53 UTC, a magnitude 4.9 shallow crustal earthquake struck 36 km SSW of Sarpol-e Z̄ahāb, Iran, at a depth of 10.0 km and coordinates 34.1718°, 45.6809°. This earthquake was detected by 97 seismic stations with excellent location accuracy and was assigned a USGS significance rating of 370, placing it among routine seismic activity.
Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 4.9 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 338 metric tons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 1.4 km — 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
Did You Feel It? — community-reported shaking
Aggregated felt-report intensity from 3 citizen responses to the USGS Did You Feel It? system. Each colored zone represents the average MMI from reports in that area.
Source: U.S. Geological Survey Did You Feel It?. View on USGS · submit your own report
Earthquake Details
45.6809°E
Technical Information
Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 4.9 earthquake near Sarpol-e Z̄ahāb, Iran?
The magnitude 4.9 earthquake that struck 36 km SSW of Sarpol-e Z̄ahāb, Iran on May 5, 2026 at 20:53 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 34.1718°, 45.6809°, which is 36 km SSW of Sarpol-e Z̄ahāb, Iran. View all earthquakes in Iran.
Were there aftershocks?
Aftershock activity is monitored continuously by the USGS. Aftershock sequences from magnitude 4.9 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 4.9 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: us6000svfc). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2026, May 5, 2026). M4.9 Earthquake 36 km SSW of Sarpol-e Z̄ahāb, Iran — May 5, 2026. Retrieved May 18, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us6000svfc/