Amid rising speculation about the cause of a recent earthquake in Iran, multiple expert agencies have confirmed that the seismic activity was natural and not the result of a nuclear test or underground military explosion. Seismologists from the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organisation (CTBTO), and other independent experts have analyzed the event and ruled out any artificial triggers.
Iran Faces Over 2,000 Earthquake Annually
Iran is one of the most seismically active countries in the world. The country experiences approximately 2,100 earthquakes every year, with 15 to 16 of them registering magnitudes of 5.0 or higher. According to seismic records, Iran reported nearly 96,000 earthquakes between 2006 and 2015, indicating a high level of tectonic activity across its fault zones.
Seismic Analysis Refutes Nuclear Test Theory Over Earthquake
Following the recent tremors, concerns circulated on social media and some unofficial platforms suggesting the possibility of an underground nuclear test or a military explosion triggering the earthquake. However, scientists have provided a clear explanation that undermines such theories.
“Underground explosions during nuclear activities can trigger earthquakes by releasing tectonic stress near the blast. However, seismologists can distinguish between explosions and natural earthquakes by studying the seismic waves,” experts said.
Seismic waveforms from the event were analyzed by USGS, CTBTO, and other independent researchers. According to India Today, their expert findings dismissed any speculation of a nuclear test or explosion-related cause.
How Scientists Differentiate Explosions from Earthquakes
Seismologists use the behavior of seismic waves to determine the source of ground movements. Natural earthquakes and underground explosions produce different wave patterns. The experts confirmed that the data from the Iranian quake matched the characteristics of a naturally occurring seismic event rather than those typically associated with detonations or nuclear activities.
Authorities have reassured the public that no evidence suggests any covert military or nuclear activity related to the earthquake. The natural tectonic shifts in Iran’s geography continue to be the primary cause of seismic disturbances in the region.