A 4.6 magnitude earthquake reportedly struck Aradan in the Semnan province of northern Iran on October 5, sparking rumors of a possible nuclear test, according to The Economic Times last Wednesday.
The shallow quake, at a depth of 10 kilometers, was felt as far away as Tehran, located about 110 kilometers from the epicenter, and even caused aftershocks in Israel.
Speculation quickly spread on social media, with users suggesting the quake was not a natural occurrence but rather a result of a nuclear test. Some X users claimed that Iran might have detonated a test bomb 10 kilometers underground to minimize radiation exposure, triggering seismic activity picked up by seismographs. Comparisons were drawn to North Korea’s 2013 earthquake, which was later confirmed to be the result of a nuclear test.
However, nuclear experts cautioned against jumping to conclusions, according to The Economic Times. While nuclear detonations can indeed cause seismic events, experts noted that the characteristics of the October 5 earthquake raised doubts. Iran’s nuclear facilities are heavily fortified, and the shallow depth of the quake makes a nuclear explosion less likely.