6.3 magnitude quake strikes near Bushehr nuke facility in Iran

6.3 magnitude quake strikes near Bushehr nuke facility in Iran
Get short URL Published time: April 09, 2013 12:15
Edited time: April 09, 2013 12:57



A 6.3 magnitude earthquake has struck near Bushehr in Iran, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS). The area is home to the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant, which is located just 11 miles southeast of the city.

The quake has been given "orange alert level" by the USGS. An orange alert means that significant casualties are likely and the disaster is potentially widespread.

The earthquake's epicenter was 89 kilometers (55 miles) away from the plant. The depth of the quake was 10 km (6.2miles).

The Bushehr power plant is the country's only operational nuclear power station; it is capable to withstand quakes stronger than 6.3 magnitude, a design engineer told RIA Novosti.

People on social media reported feeling the quake in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. There were no immediate reports of damages.

Bushehr, which is home to around 160,000 people, is located on Iran's southwestern coastal region. The head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran said in December another plant is slated for construction next to the Bushehr plant.

Iran extends across several major faults in the earth's crust, and is prone to frequent earthquakes. In August 2012, two quakes in Northwestern Iran claimed the lives of 306 people and injured more than 4,500 others.

http://rt.com/news/iran-bushehr-quake-nuclear-562/

Iran hit by aftershocks following killer earthquake
Apr 10, 2013 at 1:07pm



Scores of aftershocks, one measuring 5.4, have hit south-west Iran following Tuesday’s deadly earthquake.
Authorities say 37 people, including eight children, were killed in the 6.3 magnitude quake.

Twelve villages and 1,000 buildings have been completely destroyed.

The movement struck the Bushehr region, 90 kilometers from Iran’s only nuclear power station.

Mohammad Ahmadiya from the Bushehr nuclear power plant reassured locals and the wider world that the plant is safe:

“Bushehr nuclear power plant can resist an 8.3 magnitude quake even if the epicentre is very close to the power plant. This quake was far too weak and its epicentre was more than a hundred kilometers away from the plant.”

Local hospitals are under severe pressure as they treat the 950 or so injured.

Such was the force of the earthquake that it was felt in Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar.

Iran is prone to seismic activity.



In 2003 a quake in the city of Bam left 25,000 dead.

http://www.gbcghana.com/index.php?id=1.1332911