The rate of convergence between the plates near the epicentre is about 30 millimetres (1 in) per year, of which only part is taken up within the Zagros fold and thrust belt.

[1] At 16:22 IRDT (11:52 UTC) on April 9, 2013, an earthquake with a magnitude of 6.3 struck the southwestern coast of Iran, in Bushehr province.

[4] The United States Geological Survey (USGS) estimated that 80,000 people experienced strong tremors while several million felt light shaking.

[4] The earthquake was felt in many countries around the Persian Gulf, including Qatar, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.

[9] In April 10, the largest aftershock with a magnitude of 5.4 injured four people and destroyed buildings already weakened by the mainshock the day prior.

[5] Iran's Red Crescent Society and the Iranian Navy sent teams to Bushehr Province on the first night to deliver first aid.