The UAE’s seismic network recorded a 5.3-magnitude earthquake in southern Iran on Thursday morning, according to the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM).
The tremor occurred at 8:59 AM UAE time, but the Met department confirmed that it did not affect the UAE despite Iran’s close proximity to the Emirates.
The NCM reassured residents that the earthquake was not felt anywhere in the UAE.
Why Tremors Are Sometimes Felt in the UAE
Earlier this month, NCM seismologist Mohamed Alhassani explained why tremors from southern Iran can occasionally be felt in the Emirates.
Although the UAE is not in a major earthquake zone, it is near Iran’s Zagros mountain range, one of the world’s most active seismic regions.
Alhassani said:
“We are part of the Arabian plate, which moves towards the Eurasian plate. This movement causes earthquakes in southern Iran, especially in the Zagros mountains, which is the primary seismic source near the UAE.”
