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)