Iran earthquake felt in Dubai and Abu Dhabi

Seismic incident measured 5.8 on the Richter scale, initial reports say

Dubai residents said they felt a brief shudder on Thursday evening, which was likely the aftershock from an earthquake in Iran. Antonie Robertson / The National

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A sizeable earthquake in Iran was felt across the UAE on Wednesday evening.

Residents of Dubai, Abu Dhabi and the Northern Emirates felt a mild shudder lasting up to 20 seconds.

The epicentre was about 100km from the major port city of Bandar Abbas on the Gulf.

The tectonic shelf in the Iran region has been highly active this year, with a series of quakes measuring five or more on the Richter scale often felt in the Emirates.

Two weeks ago, tremors were felt following an earthquake in Iran that measured 5.3 on the scale.

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Here's what a 6.9 earthquake looks like - in pictures

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  The Kaoliao bridge in Hualien county collapsed following a 6.9-magnitude earthquake in Taiwan. AFP

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  A jagged tear in a road after the quake hit Yuli township. EPA

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  A woman stares over the edge of the collapsed Kaoliao bridge. EPA

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  Workers use cranes to take down a collapsed building in Yuli township. AFP

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  Rescuers carry equipment from the rubble of a collapsed shop. EPA

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  A survivor is pulled to safety from the wreckage. AFP

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  Firefighters in the wreckage of a collapsed building. AP

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  The floor of the Mount Carmel Presbyterian Church in Yuli is cracked after the 6.9-magnitude quake. AP

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  A train near Yuli was derailed by the tremor. AFP

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  Buildings damaged by the earthquake. AP

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  A survivor is pulled from a collapsed building. AP

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  Firefighters rescue victims. AP

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  The rescue operation at a convenience store in Yuli that collapsed, trapping two people, who were saved. AP

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  A bridge damaged by the tremors. EPA

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  This building in Yuli was toppled by the earthquake. AP

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  Travellers wait at Taichung high-speed rail station for services delayed by the quake to resume. Reuters

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On two occasions in June, tremors were felt in the Emirates when 5.9 and 5.3 seismic events hit Iran.

Minor tremors are often recorded in the UAE as a result of earthquakes in Iran.

The country experiences frequent earthquakes, some very destructive, due to several fault lines cross the country.

In 2003, a 6.6-magnitude earthquake destroyed the city of Bam, killing tens of thousands of people.

The Richter scale classifies quakes between 1.0 and 2.9 as “micro”, 3.0 to 3.9 as “minor”, 4.0 to 4.9 as “light”, 5.0 to 5.9 as “moderate”, 6.0 to 6.9 as “strong”, 7.0 to 7.9 as “major” and 8.0 and above as “great”.

Micro earthquakes, such as the kind the UAE experienced this year, occur more than 100,000 times a year and are typically detected by local instruments — but not people.

In 2013, office staff at a commercial tower block in Dubai Media City were evacuated when a strong quake hit, shaking the building.