Earthquake Report: Magnitude 4.9 Event Near 27 km S of Javānrūd, Iran

A magnitude 4.9 earthquake struck Iran at 03:43 UTC on Monday, July 20, 2026, according to data from the United States Geological Survey (USGS). The earthquake's epicentre was located 27 km S of Javānrūd, Iran, at a focal depth of 10.0 km.

Event Details

At a focal depth of 10.0 km, this is classified as a shallow earthquake (0–70 km). Shallow events are typically the most damaging: the seismic energy has less distance to travel before reaching the surface, resulting in stronger and more abrupt ground shaking at the epicentre.

The earthquake registered a magnitude of 4.9 on the moment magnitude scale — the standard measurement used by seismologists worldwide. At this magnitude, the shaking is felt strongly by everyone; minor to moderate damage possible in vulnerable buildings.

Where Did This Earthquake Occur?

Iran sits on the Iranian Plateau, caught between the Arabian Plate pushing northward and the Eurasian Plate. This compression is accommodated along a complex network of reverse and strike-slip faults crossing the entire country.

Iran has experienced many catastrophic earthquakes, including the 2003 Bam earthquake (M6.6, ~26,000 deaths) — largely caused by collapse of traditional mud-brick architecture — and the 2012 East Azerbaijan earthquakes. Seismicity is widespread, with few regions of the country considered truly low-risk.

What Does Magnitude 4.9 Mean?

Moderate earthquakes are felt by virtually everyone near the epicentre. Strong shaking lasting 10–30 seconds can topple unsecured items, crack plaster, and cause poorly anchored objects to fall. Aftershocks are common following moderate events.

Significant damage can occur to vulnerable structures — particularly unreinforced masonry, old adobe buildings, and poorly maintained older construction. Well-engineered modern buildings are designed to withstand this level of shaking with minimal structural impact, though contents may shift and non-structural elements (ceilings, partitions) can be damaged.

A magnitude 4.9 earthquake releases approximately approximately 30,000 tonnes of TNT — comparable to the Hiroshima atomic bomb of energy. For comparison, this exceeds the energy released by most conventional explosive events and is sufficient to shift tectonic stress in measurable ways across a wide region.

Safety Guidance

Keep an earthquake emergency kit accessible at home. It should include at least 72 hours of water (4 litres per person per day), non-perishable food, a first aid kit, torch, battery-powered radio, copies of important documents, and essential medications. Reviewing and restocking this kit annually is strongly recommended.

Agree on an out-of-area contact that family members can reach if local communications are disrupted. Identify two meeting points: one near your home and one further away. Practise earthquake drills, especially with children and elderly household members.

The Institute of Geophysics, University of Tehran and the Building and Housing Research Center (BHRC) play key roles in earthquake monitoring and building code development.

Monitoring and Aftershocks

Seismologists are continuing to monitor the region for aftershocks, which are common following earthquakes of this magnitude. Aftershocks can occur minutes, hours, or even days after the main event and are sometimes strong enough to cause additional damage to already-weakened structures. Residents in the area are advised to remain cautious and follow guidance from local authorities.

Real-time seismic data is being collected by the USGS and contributing regional networks. Updated information will be published as it becomes available. You can track this and all other global seismic activity in real time on our live earthquake map.

Community Felt Reports

If you felt this earthquake, your experience contributes to an important scientific dataset. The USGS "Did You Feel It?" (DYFI) system and QuakeWatch's own community reports platform collect first-hand accounts of shaking intensity from people across the affected region. These reports — describing where people were, what they felt, and what moved or was damaged — help seismologists map shaking intensity across an area much larger than any single seismograph can cover. Visit the earthquake's detail page on our live map to submit your own report.