Latest news with #MeteorologicalandSeismologicalAuthority
Ammon
20-07-2025
- Climate
- Ammon
3.0 magnitude earthquake recorded in Iraq's Duhok Province
Ammon News - A light earthquake struck Duhok Province in northern Iraq early Sunday, according to a statement from the country's Meteorological and Seismological Authority. The tremor, which measured 3.0 on the Richter scale, was recorded at dawn in the northern part of the province, approximately 390 kilometers from Baghdad. The authority confirmed that residents in areas near the epicenter felt the quake. As of Sunday morning, there were no confirmed reports of casualties or property damage. Authorities continue to monitor the situation and assess potential impacts.
Shafaq News
06-05-2025
- Business
- Shafaq News
Earthquakes strike Iraq's Kirkuk amid ongoing tectonic tension
Shafaq News/ A series of minor earthquakes hit northern Kirkuk, Iraq, over the past 24 hours, with experts linking the activity to both natural tectonic stress and industrial factors. Iraq's Meteorological and Seismological Authority reported on Tuesday that the latest measuring 3.1 magnitude occurred at 8:26 a.m. local time. Another tremor, 3.6 magnitude, was at 6:21 p.m. on Monday and was felt by residents in surrounding areas. The authority confirmed that no casualties or material damage were reported. Geological analysts exolained to Shafaq News that Kirkuk sits at a high-risk seismic zone due to its location at the convergence of the Arabian and Eurasian tectonic plates. This boundary, labeled the Black Line on geological maps, frequently experiences stress-induced fault movements. One of the key contributors is the Zagros Fault, an active tectonic line extending from western Iran into Iraq, known for causing regular seismic disturbances. Experts also pointed to the possible role of induced seismicity from oil and gas operations. Kirkuk, a major energy hub, engages in deep drilling and injection activities that can destabilize subsurface structures, triggering man-made tremors. They stressed the need for thorough seismic risk assessments and safety planning as the city experiences rapid urbanization and industrial growth.
Shafaq News
03-03-2025
- Climate
- Shafaq News
Iraq's seismic surge: Over 60 tremors in February
Shafaq News/ Iraq recorded 66 earthquakes in February, Iraq's Meteorological and Seismological Authority revealed on Monday. The Authority's latest monthly report indicated that the tremors, detected by the Iraqi seismic monitoring network, were distributed across various regions within Iraq and neighboring territories. In January, 62 earthquakes were detected, with magnitudes ranging from 1 to 5 on the Richter scale, according to the Seismological Monitoring Department. Earlier, the General Authority for Meteorology and Seismology reported that 1,898 earthquakes were recorded between 2020 and 2025.
Shafaq News
25-02-2025
- Climate
- Shafaq News
Iraq is safe from potential earthquake in Iran, experts say
Shafaq News/ Iraq's Meteorological and Seismological Authority has ruled out the possibility of a destructive earthquake following a series of mild tremors in the past few days, which registered a magnitude of up to 3 on the Richter scale in Diyala province. Ali Abdul Khaliq, Director of the Seismic Monitoring Department, told Shafaq News that "the recent earthquakes are natural occurrences that happen regularly, and the likelihood of strong, destructive quakes occurring in the country is very low." He added that Iraq experiences daily tremors imperceptible to the public due to the movement of tectonic plates, noting that areas such as Khanqin and Mandali in Diyala province, as well as Badra in Wasit, and Al-Tayyib in northern Maysan, are more prone to seismic activity. 'These regions are seismically active, but this is a normal occurrence and poses no threat to the area,' he explained, adding that tremors from the Iranian side also affect the region, reaching magnitudes of 4 to 4.5. Khaliq also revealed, 'a seismic code is being developed by the Iraqi government, with the Seismological Authority as a member of the committee. The code will be adopted for construction purposes by the end of this year and is the first of its kind in Iraq.' He urged relevant authorities to ensure that companies and building owners implement this seismic code to safeguard buildings from potential earthquakes. Khaliq reassured Iraqis, stating, 'The reports from Iranian authorities about a potential catastrophic earthquake in Iran do not pose a threat to Iraq.' On Monday, Iran's Crisis Management and Prevention Organization warned of the risk of a "largeearthquake" in Tehran, with the organization's head, Ali Nasiri, citing the tectonic plates in the northern part of the city as a major risk factor. Nasiri predicted that the worst-case scenario could involve a 6.7-magnitude earthquake, though he hoped it would never occur. Iran is one of the most earthquake-prone countries in the world due to its location on the Alpine-Himalayan seismic belt. The country regularly experiences varying degrees of seismic activity, with the most severe recent quake being a 7.7-magnitude tremor in 1990, which killed 37,000 people and injured 100,000 others.
