5.1 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Southern Iran: USGS

A magnitude 5.1 quake struck Fars province in southern Iran on Jan. 27, 2020. Geological Survey (USGS).

A magnitude 5.1 quake struck Fars province in southern Iran on Monday, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).

The tremor struck at around 1 p.m. UTC, or 8 a.m. ET, according to the agency. It struck at a depth of about 6 miles.

The European-Mediterranean Seismological Center reported that the quake registered as 5.2 magnitude and hit about 15 miles northwest of Shiraz. “Effects [were] reported by eyewitnesses,” it wrote.

State-run media didn’t report any possible damage or injuries.

According to the nonprofit Nuclear Threat Initiative, Iran has a missile plant located in Shiraz.

“In the late 1970s,” before the revolution that installed the current regime, “Iran hired the U.S. companies Westinghouse and Hughes Aircraft to build a missile assembly and repair plant in Shiraz in cooperation with Iran Electronics Industry, but the project was halted after the 1979 revolution,” the website said. “Since then, the plant has been reported as one of several alleged missile production sites in Iran. The Shiraz plant is allegedly producing fuel and components for Shahab-1/Scud-B missiles and conducting research and development.”

In early January, a 4.9 magnitude earthquake struck near the infamous Bushehr nuclear plant just hours after the regime launched a barrage of missiles at U.S. soldiers housed in Iraqi bases. In that quake, there were no reports of injuries or damage.

And in December, a 4.9 magnitude tremor struck near the same area. Officials said there was no damage.

A magnitude 5.9 magnitude quake that struck the northwestern part of the country in November left at least five people dead and also injured more than 300. In 2003, a 6.6 magnitude earthquake killed more than 25,000 people in the city of Bam.

Iran lies on several major seismic faults and is prone to earthquakes.

Elsewhere in the region, at least four people have been confirmed dead following last week’s earthquake in eastern Turkey. The 6.8 magnitude tremor also injured around 1,600, reported The Associated Press, citing local Turkish authorities.

Rescue workers try to save people trapped under debris following a strong earthquake that destroyed several buildings on Friday, in Elazig, eastern Turkey, on Jan. 26, 2020. Ismail Coskun/IHA via AP

Health Minister Fahrettin Koca said that 86 people are still hospitalized as of Monday. Eighteen of the victims of them in intensive care, AP reported.

Turkey’s Emergency and Disaster Management Presidency said around 4,000 workers and 22 dogs were involved in the search-and-rescue efforts in the region, the news agency also reported.

Turkey sits on several major seismic faults and is also prone to earthquakes.