  Tehran  | |
| Local date | 22 April 1853 |
|---|---|
| Local time | noon |
| Epicenter | 29°36′N52°30′E / 29.6°N 52.5°E [1] |
| Areas affected | Iran |
| Max. intensity | MMI IX (Violent) |
| Casualties | 9,000–13,000 |
The Fars region of Iran was struck by a major earthquake on either 22 April [1] or 5 May 1853. [2] The city of Shiraz and the surrounding area were severely affected, with almost all buildings destroyed. At least 9,000 people were killed, with some estimates reaching 13,000. [1]
Iran lies across the complex plate boundary where the Arabian plate is colliding with the Eurasian plate. The Fars region lies within the outermost part of the Zagros fold and thrust belt. This Fars Domain is affected by the presence of thick Neoproterozoic salt of the Hormuz Formation, forming part of the so-called simply folded zone. Despite its name, the folding is accompanied by thrusting, with some strike-slip faulting, such as on the right-lateral Kazerun fault system. From the analysis of hypocentral depths and focal mechanisms, the earthquakes are caused by both faulting within the underlying basement and towards the base of the thick sedimentary cover sequence. Almost all earthquakes occur on blind faults, with no surface rupture. [3]
The sequence began at about dawn on the day before the mainshock, with the first of a series of foreshocks. These continued throughout that day and into the following morning. The mainshock occurred at about noon, followed by a major aftershock six hours later. [2]
The second foreshock caused severe damage in the Gawd-i Araban quarter, destroying a mosque, part of the bazaar and many houses, and causing widespread damage in the rest of the city. There was local ground liquefaction and some qanats collapsed. The third major foreshock, which occurred about 15 minutes before the mainshock, led to further damage, including the collapse of one of the minarets of the Masjid-i'Abbas mosque. [2]
The mainshock left the city devastated, all buildings and other structures within 12 km of the city were described as "ruined". Notable buildings that were either destroyed or severely damaged included the remaining parts of the Masjid-i'Abbas, the Shah Cheragh monument and mosque, the Armenian Church and the Madraseh Khan. [2] Most of the Masjid-i Nau also collapsed, while the Masjid-i Vakil and the Vakil Bazaar were mainly unaffected. [1]
The major aftershock later that day led to further damage and casualties. [2]
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The 2006 Borujerd earthquake occurred in the early morning of 31 March in the South of Borujerd with destruction in Borujerd, Silakhor and Dorood areas of the Loristan Province in western Iran. The centre of the earthquake was in Darb-e Astaneh village south of the Borujerd City. The earthquake measured 6.1 on the moment magnitude scale.
The 2002 Denali earthquake occurred at 22:12:41 UTC November 3 with an epicenter 66 km ESE of Denali National Park, Alaska, United States. This 7.9 Mw earthquake was the largest recorded in the United States in 37 years. The shock was the strongest ever recorded in the interior of Alaska. Due to the remote location, there were no fatalities and only one injury.
The Damghan earthquake or the Qumis earthquake occurred on 22 December 856. The earthquake had an estimated magnitude of 7.9, and a maximum intensity of X (Extreme) on the Mercalli intensity scale. The meizoseismal area extended for about 350 kilometres (220 mi) along the southern edge of the eastern Alborz mountains of present-day Iran including parts of Tabaristan and Gorgan. The earthquake's epicenter is estimated to be close to the city of Damghan, which was then the capital of the Persian province of Qumis. It caused approximately 200,000 deaths and is listed by the United States Geological Survey as the sixth deadliest earthquake in recorded history. This death toll has been debated.
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The 1893 Quchan earthquake occurred at about 19:30 local time on 17 November. It had an estimated magnitude of 6.6 on the surface-wave magnitude scale and a maximum perceived intensity of IX (Violent) on the Mercalli intensity scale. It caused severe damage in Quchan County, particularly to the town of Quchan itself and there were an estimated 18,000 casualties.
The 2014 Murmuri earthquake occurred on August 18 in the Zagros Mountains of Iran with a moment magnitude of 6.2 and a maximum Mercalli intensity of VIII (Severe). The thrust earthquake injured 60–330 people and was followed by a number of high intensity aftershocks.
The 1780 Tabriz earthquake occurred at 01:15 local time on 8 January. It had an estimated magnitude of 7.4 and a maximum felt intensity of IX on the Mercalli intensity scale. The city of Tabriz was almost completely destroyed. The number of reported casualties varies from 40,000 to as many as 200,000, with 50,000 being a more likely estimate.
The 1902 Turkestan earthquake devastated Xinjiang, China, near the Kyrgyzstan border. It occurred on August 22, 1902, at 03:00:22 with an epicenter in the Tien Shan mountains. The thrust earthquake measured 7.7 on the moment magnitude scale (Mw ) and had a depth of 18 km (11 mi).
The 1885 Kashmir earthquake, also known as the Baramulla earthquake occurred on 30 May in Srinagar. It had an estimated moment magnitude of Mw 6.3–6.8 and maximum Medvedev–Sponheuer–Karnik scale intensity of VIII (Damaging). At least 3,081 people died and severe damage resulted.
The northern part of the Ottoman Empire was struck by a major earthquake on 13 August 1822. It had an estimated magnitude of 7.0 Ms and a maximum felt intensity of IX (Destructive) on the European macroseismic scale (EMS). It may have triggered a tsunami, affecting nearby coasts. Damaging aftershocks continued for more than two years, with the most destructive being on 5 September 1822. The earthquake was felt over a large area including Rhodes, Cyprus and Gaza. The total death toll reported for this whole earthquake sequence ranges between 30,000 and 60,000, although 20,000 is regarded as a more likely number.
The city of Kashan in Iran was struck by a major earthquake just before dawn on 15 December 1778. The earthquake had an estimated magnitude of 6.2 Ms. There was widespread damage in the area around the city, with most buildings destroyed. More than 8,000 people were killed.
The 1997 Bojnurd earthquake occurred on 4 February at 14:07 IRST in Iran. The epicenter of the Mw 6.5 earthquake was in the Kopet Dag mountains of North Khorasan, near the Iran–Turkmenistan border, about 579 km (360 mi) northeast of Tehran. The earthquake is characterized by shallow strike-slip faulting in a zone of active faults. Seismic activity is present as the Kopet Dag is actively accommodating tectonics through faulting. The earthquake left 88 dead, 1,948 injured, and affected 173 villages, including four which were destroyed. Damage also occurred in Shirvan and Bojnord counties. The total cost of damage was estimated to be over US$ 30 million.
The 1641 Tabriz earthquake occurred on the night of 5 February in present-day East Azerbaijan province, Iran. The earthquake had an estimated surface-wave magnitude of 6.8 and an epicenter between Lake Urmia and the city of Tabriz. It was one of the most destructive earthquakes in the region, resulting in the loss of up to 30,000 lives.
The 1977 Bob–Tangol earthquake struck Kerman province of Iran on December 20, 1977, at 03:04 Iran Standard Time. The earthquake measured Mw 5.9 and struck at a depth of 22.7 km (14.1 mi). A maximum Modified Mercalli intensity of VII was evaluated based on damage. It had a strike-slip focal mechanism, which was unusual as the source structure was a thrust fault. It was part of a sequence of strong earthquakes along the 400 km (250 mi) Kuh Banan Fault. Between 584 and 665 people perished while a further 500–1,000 were injured; thousands were also made homeless. Casualties from the earthquake was considered moderate due to the sparsely populated area it affected. Preceded by foreshocks the month before, many residents became wary of a larger earthquake and took refuge outside their homes, contributing to the moderate death toll. However, there were none immediately before the mainshock so many were still in their homes when it struck. Aftershocks were felt for several months, some causing additional damage.
The 1977 Khurgu earthquake struck southern Iran near Bandar Abbas in Hormozgan province on the morning of March 22. The earthquake measuring moment magnitude (Mw ) 6.7 struck at a depth of 12.5 km (7.8 mi). Thirty five villages were heavily damaged including over 20 which were destroyed. There were 152–167 people killed and 556 injured.
The 1957 Farsinaj earthquake struck Hamadan province, Iran on 13 December at 05:15 local time. The moment magnitude 6.5 earthquake struck at a depth of 15 km (9.3 mi). The epicenter of the earthquake was located in the seismically active Zagros Mountains. The mountain range was also the location for several historic earthquakes. The earthquake occurred near two segments of the active strike-slip Main Recent Fault. At least 1,130 people died, including over 700 in the village of Farsinaj. Additional deaths also occurred in Dehasiyab, Sarab, and other villages. The earthquake left an estimated 15,000 homeless; poor weather conditions including a winter storm on 21 December killed another 20 people. Several deadly and damaging aftershocks in that month killed a total of 38 people.
The 1947 Dustabad earthquake, also known as the Charmeh earthquake, occurred in South Khorasan province of northeastern Iran on 23 September. The mainshock had a magnitude of Mw 6.9 and maximum Modified Mercalli intensity of VIII (Severe). It was accompanied by a Mw 6.1 aftershock on 26 September. These earthquakes killed an estimated 500 people.
The 1958 Firuzabad earthquake was the second destructive earthquake to strike Hamadan province, Iran, in nine months. The Mw 6.7 earthquake occurred at a depth of 15 km (9.3 mi) on 16 August at 22:43 local time. It caused severe damage to over 170 villages in the province. Due to several strong foreshocks, most of the population fled their homes and the death toll only stood at 132 and another 948 were injured. A destructive aftershock on 21 September killed another 16 people.
The 1879 Bozqush earthquake affected northern Iran in present-day East Azerbaijan province on 22 March. With an estimated surface-wave magnitude of 6.7, the shock killed more than 2,000 people and thousands of livestock. Damage was the greatest along Mount Bozgush.