2013 Bushehr earthquake

Iran lies within the complex zone of collision between the Arabian plate and the Eurasian plate. The rate of convergence between the plates near the epicentre is about per year, of which only part is taken up within the Zagros fold and thrust belt. The earthquake was the result of thrust faulting on a NW-SE trending fault plane, consistent with continuing shortening of the Arabian plate. ==Earthquake==

At 16:22 IRDT (11:52 UTC) on April 9, 2013, an earthquake with a magnitude of 6.3 struck the southwestern coast of Iran, in Bushehr province. The strongest aftershock had a magnitude of 5.4. The area is home to ten thousand people and fifty villages. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) estimated that 80,000 people experienced strong tremors while several million felt light shaking. ==Damage==

At least 37 people were killed and an estimated 850 were injured by the earthquake. Most of those killed were in the town of Shonbeh and villages of Shonbeh-Tasuj District. According to provincial governor Fereydun Hasanvand, 700 homes were damaged, affecting 200 families. In April 10, the largest aftershock with a magnitude of 5.4 injured four people and destroyed buildings already weakened by the mainshock the day prior. ==Aftermath==

Iran's Red Crescent Society and the Iranian Navy sent teams to Bushehr Province on the first night to deliver first aid. Several helicopters from nearby provinces helped airlift in emergency supplies. Temporary shelters were erected in the first week after the earthquake. Three days of national mourning were announced on April 9. ==See also==