Why are there more intense earthquakes in Iran than in Iraq?

Question

Why are there more intense earthquakes in Iran than in Iraq, if they are so close together?I often hear news items of earthquakes in Iran that are higher on the Richter Scale than those that happen in Iraq.Are there maybe more earthquakes in Iraq with lower magnitudes, while less earthquakes in Iran with higher magnitudes?

Answer 1

The Arabian plate slides under and pushes against the Eurasian plate, creating areas of uplift in Iran as well as thrust and slip faults. Pressure on these fault lines becomes released in the form of earthquakes. Because Iraq is located on the plate itself, it is not affected as much, but may be in the earth's geologic future.