On June 20, 2025, a moderate earthquake (5.1-magnitude) hit the northern Iranian province of Semnan, causing a slight shaking to be felt widely in the province but causing no serious damage or harm.

Earthquake Details In Northern Iran

• Time of Event: Approximately 21:19 local time (Tehran)
• Magnitude: 5.1 on the Mb scale (initial reports suggested 5.5)
• Depth: Around 10 kilometers, considered a shallow quake
• Epicenter Location: 37 km southwest of Semnan city, about 23 miles from Sorkheh

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the Iranian Seismological center all recorded a moderate but shallow quake which has the potentiality of causing slight shaking along the surface.

Impact Across the Region

The earthquake was severely experienced in the Semnan, Sorkheh, and even the Tehran which is about 150 kilometers away. People using social media and local accounts outlined sudden, intense blows that caused many locals to leave their homes and buildings. But the level of panic was not that high.

There are no reported official injuries and deaths. Preliminary damage assessments show no significant structural damage however officials are still conducting checks on infrastructure thought to be critical

Expert Insights & Aftershock Potential in Northern Iran

Seismologists stress that shallow earthquakes (such as in this case, at 10 km depth). Have the ability to lead to more shaking than deeper tremors, at the low-end of their magnitudes.

Although no official warning about the aftershock exists, so far. Experts warn about the possibility of smaller tremors in the next several days, which is also characteristic of earthquakes of this type in tectonically-active areas.

Iran’s Seismic Background

Iran lies in the Alpide Belt, which is in the top list of most earthquake-prone regions around the globe. There are several moderate earthquakes a year on average in the country. The quake itself was not very strong, but a gloomy reminder of the fact that Iran is highly prone to earthquakes.

Notable Earthquakes in Iran’s Recent History:

• July 2022 (Hormozgan): 5.5 magnitude, no casualties
• June 1990 (Manjil–Rudbar): 7.4 magnitude, 35,000–50,000 fatalities
• December 2003 (Bam): 6.6 magnitude, over 26,000 deaths

What Residents Should Do

The local government and the National Crisis Management Organization of Iran encourage people to be alert and adhere to the general safety rules in case of an earthquake:

1. Drop, Cover, and Hold On — seek shelter under sturdy furniture during shaking.
2. Avoid elevators and windows during and after a quake.
3. Move to open spaces after the tremor stops to avoid falling debris.
4. Keep an emergency kit ready with essentials, medication, and identification documents.

Monitoring and Next Steps

It is monitored by the USGS and Iranian Seismological center. Disaster management teams are on duty on standby as aftershocks are anticipated to occur. There are no reports of disruption of public services or transport.

It is recommended that residents should pay attention to the local media and official announcements in the provinces of Semnan and in the adjacent ones to get up to date information and safety warnings

Recent Seismic Activity in Iran

The 5.1 magnitude of earth quake experienced today is the highest registered in Iran in the last one day. A number of smaller jolts (down to M1.5) also have been reported in the country during the same period of time. Hormozgan region located in the south of Iran recorded recurrent low-intensity quakes in the past few weeks

Summary

Although the quake of today resulted in anxiety in the northern part of Iran, it also reminds people of the significance of preparedness in such a highly seismic area. Unharmed and with minimum damages, the authorities are still keeping the situation under close observation and simply request people to be well informed and vigilant