The United States Geological Survey recorded a Magnitude 5.4 Earthquake at a depth of 13 km in northern Azerbaijan slightly before 9.50 am local time (slightly before 4.50 am GMT) on Friday 4 September 2015). The quake was felt across much of Azerbaijan and neighbouring Georgia, as well as in northeastern Iran. One person reportedly died in Azerbaijan, though details of this are unclear, and ten were injured in Iran as they evacuated buildings.
Damage to a building in Baku, Azerbaijan following the 4 September 2015 Earthquake. Trend.
Earthquakes are a common problem in Azerbaijan, which is located on the southern part of the Eurasian Plate, close to the boundary with the Arabian and Anatolian Plates. The Arabian Plate is being pushed northwards by the movement of the African Plate further to the south, pushing the Anatolian Plate to the west, and creating stress in the rocks around the Caspian Sea Basin, and creating the uplift that has led to the formation of the Caucasus Mountains.
The approximate location of the 4 September 2015 Azerbaijan Earthquake. Google Maps.
The movement of the Arabian Plate into the Eurasian Plate from the south. El-Isa & Franke (2002).
See also...
The United States Geological Survey recorded a Magnitude 5.4 Earthquake at a depth of 16.3 km close to the Georgian border in the Caucasus Mountains...
The United States Geological Survey recorded a Magnitude 4.1 Earthquake at a depth of 20.1 km in the northeast of Azerbaijan slightly before 3.15 pm...
On Sunday 23 December 2012, slightly after 5.30 pm local time (slightly after 1.30 pm GMT) the United States Geological Survey recorded a Magnitude 5.5 Earthquake 10 km beneath the eastern...
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