Seismic Hazard Map, Iran
Iran sits squarely in a wide zone of tectonic compression where the Arabian plate is moving into the Eurasian plate. The Zagros range on its western edge and the Elburz range along its north are only the largest of many mountain belts being uplifted by this continental collision. As a result, the whole country is at moderate to severe risk of damaging earthquakes. The white dot near the Pakistan border marks the ancient mud city of Bam, severely damaged in the 26 December 2003 earthquake.
Learn the story behind this historic map. Map from Global Seismic Hazard Assessment Program.
