The 1977 Khurgu earthquake struck southern Iran near Bandar Abbas in Hormozgan province on the morning of March 22.

[2] The Zagros Mountains extend southeast from Turkey to the Gulf of Oman for ~1,600 km (990 mi), representing a convergent boundary.

Collision occurs between Arabia and central Iran began in the late Eocene after the subduction of the Neotethys Ocean ceased.

In the east–west trending southeastern Zagros, the convergence rate is fastest (~9 mm (0.35 in)/yr), and accommodated by crustal shortening.

[4] Steeply-dipping blind thrust faults in the area inferred from topographic and stratigraphic studies were likely responsible for earthquakes in the southeastern Zagros.

The Zagros Foredeep and Mountain Front faults are located at the frontal region of the range and runs parallel to them.

[5] A 26 km (16 mi) long ground fracture was observed in the center of high intensity zone, VIII–IX (Severe–Violent).

[6] The death toll was moderate (152–167 killed out of a population of 11,117) due to the occurrence of a strong foreshock that was widely felt.

Damage to supporting columns in buildings suggest the earthquake produced large vertical ground motions.

Due to the increased urban development in this earthquake-prone area, seismic instruments in the city recorded ground motions from the earthquake.