Update: 5.4 magnitude earthquake hits close to Qarnābād, Iran on July 19

Published Jul 20, 2025

ALIABAD, Golestan Province—A 5.4 magnitude quake was detected close to Qarnābād Saturday morning, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

A tremor jolted the area at 21:37 UTC (01:07 local time). The earthquake’s epicenter was situated about 31 km east of Qarnābād and occurred at a depth of 10 km.

Did you feel it?

If you exparienced the quake, you can report it via the USGS Felt Report form. The agency has so far received 9 reports via its online form from people who indicate they felt the tremor. According to the USGS DYFI report, weak to light shaking was recorded and several people in Emamshahr and the surrounding area reported feeling the earthquake.

DYFI Image

Impact and estimated losses

Green alert for shaking-related fatalities and economic losses. There is a low likelihood of casualties and damage. Recent earthquakes in this area have caused secondary hazards such as landslides that might have contributed to losses.

Structure information summary
Overall, the population in this region resides in structures that are vulnerable to earthquake shaking, though resistant structures exist. The predominant vulnerable building types are adobe block and unreinforced brick with mud and timber post construction.

Historical information
A magnitude 6.5 earthquake 268 km northeast of this event struck Garmkhan, Iran on February 4, 1997 (UTC), with estimated population exposures of 253,000 at intensity VI and 9,000 at intensity VII, resulting in a reported 100 fatalities.

Qarnābād shaken twice last week

In the past week, there have been two quakes, exceeding magnitude 2.5, centered nearby. Both measured 4.6 maginude and were registered in the same region. One of them struck one days ago, and the other on July 15.

Source: The U.S. Geological Survey