Earthquake Report – Southwest of Fin- Bandar Abbas, ML=5.4
At 10:58 a.m. local time on
March 25, 2006, an earthquake occurred in the region Northwest of BandarAbbas
between Ruydar and Fin.
The magnitude was estimated 5.4 by Iran's National Broad Band Seismic Network
(INSN) and also a quick estimate of depth was 14 km. Preliminary reports tell of
slight damages such as cracks in the walls of houses (in Bonab village near
Ruydar) and also the occurrence of landslides in the area between Fin and
Ruydar. Earthquakes were previously recorded in this region especially in
February 1994- several earthquakes with a magnitude between 4 and 6 were
recorded in the Fin region. Also, over a 4 month time span seismicity of the
BandarAbbas region is marked by the Qeshm-Persian Gulf earthquake of Nov. 27,
2005 (Mw 6.0) and the Faryab earthquake on Feb. 28, 2006 with Mw=5.9 and also
the occurrence of numerous earthquakes with magnitudes low to average - to
greater magnitudes of 6.0- in this region. The occurrence of earthquakes in this
region with activity of main seismogenic trends are accounted for by the
Northeast- Southwest bearing and near the contact area of the Bandar Abbas –
Minab Zendan structure. IIEES has established a dense regional seismic network
in the earthquake stricken region from the beginning of December and after the
occurrence of the Feb. 28, 2006 earthquake. This network which is under the
guidance of Dr. Yaminifard, associate professor of seismology at the institute,
is active in the region and during the past 4 months all seismic data has been
recorded including the March 25, 2006 earthquake. Statistical data of the
earthquake such as all earthquakes with magnitudes greater than 4 is available
on the website.
Figure (1): Seismograms recorded by Iran's National Broad Band Seismic Network
Figure (2): Epicenter of Earthquake- Fin BandarAbbas, 25/3/2006: Map of main faults north of Bandar Abbas- Hormoz Strait and the surrounding region which have recorded historical earthquakes greater than or equal to 5
Figure (3): Epicenter of earthquake- Fin BandarAbbas-25/3/2006 – Map of main structural trends in the Hormoz Strait area (on the geological map)