On Friday, a magnitude 3.2 earthquake struck the city of Sulaymaniyah in the Kurdistan Region, causing notable tremors that were felt by many residents. In addition to this seismic activity, another earthquake registering 4.2 on the Richter scale occurred in the city of Sarpeli Zahaw on the same day. The epicenter of the 3.1 quake was located in the village of Pushen in Barzanja, situated near Sulaymaniyah, at a depth of 12 kilometers.
Reports indicate that some citizens, feeling the ground shake beneath them, chose to evacuate their homes temporarily as a precaution. Seismologists have warned that further seismic events may follow these quakes, though they anticipate that future tremors will be less intense, based on current geological assessments.
Kurdistan’s weather and geological conditions have made it a region that frequently experiences seismic activity. In 2024, alone, Sulaymaniyah has already witnessed a significant number of earthquakes, raising concerns about public safety and preparedness. Local authorities are urging residents to stay informed about earthquake safety measures and to remain vigilant as they monitor seismic developments in the area.
In 2024, Iraq experienced 539 earthquakes, primarily in the Kurdistan Region and Nineveh, according to an annual report by the Iraqi General Authority for Meteorology and Seismic Monitoring. The earthquakes ranged in magnitude from 1.0 to 6.2 and occurred at depths between 3 to 46 kilometers.
Sulaymaniyah Tops Iraq in Earthquake Activity
Out of the total, 231 earthquakes happened within Iraq, while 308 were recorded in neighboring countries: 170 in Iran, 116 in Turkiye, 11 in Syria, 6 in Kuwait, 4 in Saudi Arabia, and 1 in the Arabian Gulf. The report noted that the most seismic activity was concentrated in northern and northeastern Iraq, especially near the Iraq-Iran border, with significant activity in areas like Darbandikhan, Kalar, Khanaqin, Mandali, and Badra. Other affected regions included Nineveh, Kirkuk, Duhok, and Erbil.
Sulaymaniyah province had the highest number of earthquake, with 73 events, followed by Nineveh (34), Duhok (30), Erbil (25), Diyala (24), and Kirkuk (19). Several other provinces, including Saladin, Basra, Maysan, and more, also reported seismic activity.Although many residents felt the earthquakes, the report stated that there were no casualties or damage recorded in 2024.
