1902 Shamakhi earthquake

Last updated
1902 Shamakhi earthquake
Shemakha 1902.jpg
Reliefkarte Aserbaidschan 2023.png
Bullseye1.png
UTC  time1902-02-13 09:39:30
ISC  eventn/a
USGS-ANSS n/a
Local date13 February 1902
Magnitude6.9 Ms [1]
Depth15 km (9.3 mi) [1]
Epicenter 40°42′N48°36′E / 40.7°N 48.6°E / 40.7; 48.6 [1]
Areas affected Shemakha uezd, Baku Governorate, Russian Empire (now Shamakhi District, Azerbaijan)
Max. intensity IX (Violent) [1]
Casualties2,000 killed

The 1902 Shamakhi earthquake occurred on 13 February with a surface-wave magnitude of 6.9 and a maximum felt Modified Mercalli intensity of IX (Violent). Up to 2,000 people died and thousands more were injured in the Shemakha uezd within the Baku Governorate of the Russian Empire (present-day Republic of Azerbaijan). About 7,439 buildings were damaged or destroyed in the city and surrounding villages. [1] Shamakhi had been devastated by earlier earthquakes in 1806, 1859 and 1872. It is one of the most destructive earthquakes in Azerbaijan. [2]

Contents

Geology

Azerbaijan is situated in a region of subduction involving the Arabian and Eurasian plates which has been ongoing for the past 5 million years. As a result, forming the Greater Caucasus Range. The Main Caucasus Thrust Fault, a north-dipping fault, accommodates most of the plate interaction. Subduction was later accommodated 1.5 million years ago by the Kura fold and thrust belt. The Kura fold and thrust belt spans 275 km (171 mi) from Tbilisi in Georgia to Shamakhi, consisting of a series of thrust faults. [3]

Earthquake

Isoseismal mapping of affected buildings indicate an epicenter location close to Shamakhi and the rupture was consistent with that occurring on the Kura Thrust Fault. Paleoseismic studies involving trenching in Agsu District revealed surface ruptures associated with two earthquakes. The older of the two may correspond to a large earthquake in 1668 while the younger could reflect the 1902 event which displayed 3.5 m (11 ft) of offset. By estimating a rupture area of 50 km2 × 30 km2 (19 sq mi × 12 sq mi), consistent with the area of major damage, and considering the 3.5 m (11 ft) of average slip, the moment magnitude (Mw ) is 7.4. [3]

Impact

The earthquake struck at noon, and Shamakhi was totally destroyed. In addition to the city in ruins, the earthquake also devastated 125 nearby settlements. The destruction of 4,000 homes left 20,000 people homeless. Eight historical mosques, 42 churches, more than 10 madrasas, as well as many commercial buildings and shops were destroyed. In the villages outside the city, over 3,000 houses, many mosques and farmhouses were razed. [4] Damage was made worse by fires started from people cooking; it destroyed many structures that were still standing. [5] The destruction of Shamakhi was attributed to wet soil conditions and building materials which consisted of stones and clay mortar. Damage was light in areas where Christians lived because most homes in these areas were constructed from wood. [6]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1946 Aleutian Islands earthquake</span> Earthquake near the Aleutian Islands, Alaska

The 1946 Aleutian Islands earthquake occurred near the Aleutian Islands, Alaska on April 1, 1946. The shock measured 8.6, Mt 9.3 or 7.4. It had a maximum Mercalli intensity of VI (Strong). It resulted in 165–173 casualties and over US $26 million in damage. The seafloor along the fault was elevated, triggering a Pacific-wide tsunami with multiple destructive waves at heights ranging from 45–138 ft (14–42 m). The tsunami obliterated the Scotch Cap Lighthouse on Unimak Island, Alaska among others, and killed all five lighthouse keepers. Despite the destruction to the Aleutian Island Unimak, the tsunami had almost an imperceptible effect on the Alaskan mainland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shamakhi</span> City in Azerbaijan

Shamakhi is a city in Azerbaijan and the administrative centre of the Shamakhi District. The city's estimated population as of 2010 was 31,704. It is famous for its traditional dancers, the Shamakhi Dancers, and also for perhaps giving its name to the Soumak rugs.

The 2000 Baku earthquake occurred on November 25 at 22:09 local time with an epicenter just offshore Baku, Azerbaijan. It measured 6.8 on the moment magnitude scale and the maximum felt intensity was VI on the Mercalli intensity scale. It was followed three minutes later by a quake measuring 5.9. It was the strongest for almost 160 years, since 1842 in the Baku suburbs and in addition to the capital affected Sumgayit, Shamakhi and neighboring cities. According to the United States Geological Survey, the epicentre was in the Caspian Sea, 25 km to the south-southeast of Baku. The earthquake was felt as far away as e.g. Tbilisi, 600 km northwest of the epicentre, Makhachkala and the Karabudakh and Isberbas settlements in Dagestan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1861 Mendoza earthquake</span> 1861 earthquake in Mendoza Province, Argentina

The 1861 Mendoza earthquake occurred in the province of Mendoza, Argentina on 20 March at 11:30 PM. It had an estimated magnitude of 7.2 on the Ms scale and an intensity of IX–X on the Mercalli scale. Its hypocenter was located at an estimated depth of 30 kilometres (19 mi).

The 1991 Racha earthquake occurred in the province of Racha, Georgia, at 9:12 UTC on 29 April. Centered on the districts of Oni and Ambrolauri on the southern foothills of the Greater Caucasus mountains, it killed 270, left approximately 100,000 homeless and caused severe damage, including to several medieval monuments. It had a magnitude of 7.0 and was the most powerful earthquake recorded in the Caucasus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1976 Moro Gulf earthquake</span> Earthquake in the Philippines

The 1976 Moro Gulf earthquake and tsunami occurred on August 17, 1976, at 00:11 local time near the islands of Mindanao and Sulu, in the Philippines. It meaured 8.0 on the moment magnitude scale occurring at a depth of 20 km (12 mi). The earthquake was accompanied by a destructive tsunami that resulted in a majority of the estimated 5,000 to 8,000 fatalities. It was the deadliest and strongest earthquake in the Philippines in 58 years since the 1918 Celebes Sea earthquake.

The 1999 Ambrym earthquake occurred on November 26 at 00:21:17 local time with a moment magnitude of 7.4 and a maximum Mercalli intensity of VII. The back arc thrust event occurred within the Vanuatu archipelago, just to the south of the volcanic island of Ambrym. Vanuatu, which was previously known as New Hebrides, is subject to volcanic and earthquake activity because it lies on an active and destructive plate boundary called the New Hebrides Subduction Zone. While the National Geophysical Data Center classified the total damage as moderate, a destructive local tsunami did result in some deaths, with at least five killed and up to 100 injured.

The 1930 Bago (Pegu) earthquake, also known as the Swa earthquake struck Myanmar on 5 May. The moment magnitude (Mw ) 7.4 earthquake had a focal depth of 35 km (22 mi) and maximum Rossi–Forel intensity of IX. The earthquake was the result of rupture along a 131 km (81 mi) segment of the Sagaing Fault—a major strike-slip fault that runs through the country. Extensive damage was reported in the southern part of the country, particularly in Bago and Yangon, where buildings collapsed and fires erupted. At least 550, and possibly up to 7,000 people were killed. A moderate tsunami was generated along the Burmese coast which caused minor damage to ships and a port. It was felt for over 570,000 km2 (220,000 sq mi) and as far as Shan State and Thailand. The mainshock was followed by many aftershocks; several were damaging; additional earthquakes occurred in July and December, killing dozens. The December earthquake was similarly sized which also occurred along the Sagaing Fault.

The 1839 Martinique earthquake occurred on the morning of January 11 with an estimated magnitude of 7.8 Ms , the largest in the Lesser Antilles since 1690. The maximum intensity of this earthquake was assigned IX on both the Mercalli and MSK intensity scales, which left the cities of Saint-Pierre and Fort Royal almost completely destroyed. Estimation on the number of human losses varies from 390 to even 4,000 making this one of the deadliest earthquakes in the Caribbean.

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 1139 Ganja earthquake was one of the worst seismic events in history. It affected the Seljuk Empire and Kingdom of Georgia; modern-day Azerbaijan and Georgia. The earthquake had an estimated magnitude of 7.7 MLH, 7.5 Ms and 7.0–7.3 Mw. A controversial death toll of 230,000–300,000 came as a consequence of this event.

The 1889 Chilik earthquake occurred on July 11 on the Gregorian calendar, or June 30 on the Julian calendar at 15:14 local time in the Tien Shan mountains. The earthquake measured an estimated Mw  7.9–8.0 on the moment magnitude scale and was assigned a maximum intensity of X (Devastating) on the MSK 64 and Rossi-Forel scales. Over 92 people across Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and China were killed.

The 1716 Algiers earthquake was part of a seismic sequence which began in February and ended in May 1716. The largest and most destructive shock occurred on February 3 with an estimated moment magnitude of 7.0. The earthquakes with an epicenter thought to be in the Algiers region had a maximum European macroseismic scale (EMS-98) intensity of IX (Destructive), killing approximately 20,000 people. The earthquake was felt in Catania and Syracuse on the Italian island Sicily.

The Fars region of Iran was struck by a major earthquake on either 22 April or 5 May 1853. 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.

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 1706 Abruzzo earthquake, also known as the Maiella earthquake, occurred on November 3 at 13:00 CEST. The earthquake with a possible epicenter in the Central Apennine Mountains (Maiella), Abruzzo had an estimated moment magnitude of 6.6–6.84 Mw . It was assigned a maximum Mercalli intensity of XI (Extreme), causing tremendous destruction in Valle Peligna. At least 2,400 people were killed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1641 Tabriz earthquake</span> Earthquake centered in northwestern Iran

The 1641 Tabriz earthquake occurred on the night of February 5 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 1899 Aydın–Denizli earthquake which struck present-day Turkey on September 30 resulted in between 1,117 and 1,470 fatalities. Heavy damage was reported in the provinces of Aydın and Denizli. The shallow normal-faulting earthquake had a maximum Modified Mercalli intensity of IX (Violent). Estimates of the seismic magnitude range from 6.5 to 7.1 Mw.

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1940 Shakotan earthquake</span> Earthquake in Japan

The 1940 Shakotan earthquake occurred on August 2 at 00:08:22 JST with a moment magnitude (Mw ) of 7.5 and maximum JMA seismic intensity of Shindo 4. The shock had an epicenter off the coast of Hokkaido, Japan. Damage from the shock was comparatively light, but the accomanying tsunami was destructive. The tsunami caused 10 deaths and 24 injuries on Hokkaido, and destroyed homes and boats across the Sea of Japan. The highest tsunami waves were recorded at the coast of Russia while along the coast of Hokkaido, waves were about 2 m.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 National Geophysical Data Center / World Data Service (NGDC/WDS) (1972). "Significant Earthquake Database" (Data Set). National Geophysical Data Center, NOAA. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K.
  2. ↑ Ağayev, Adil (31 January 2017). "Sonuncu dağıdıcı Şamaxı zəlzələsindən 115 il keçir..." [115 years have passed since the last destructive Shamakhi earthquake...]. Azerbaijan State News Agency (in Azerbaijani). Retrieved 15 September 2022.
  3. 1 2 Pierce, Ian; Guliyev, Ibrahim; Yetirmishli, Gurban Jalal; Muradov, Rauf; Kazimova, Sabina; Javanshir, Rashid; Johnson, Ben; Marshall, Neill; Walker, Richard Thomas; Wordsworth, Paul (2022). "Surface Rupturing Earthquakes of the Greater Caucasus Frontal Thrusts, Azerbaijan" (PDF). ESS Open Archive. doi:10.22541/essoar.167152213.30022523/v1.
  4. ↑ "Şamaxı zəlzələsi 1902 – 115 il" [Shamakhi earthquake 1902 – 115 years]. National Museum of History of Azerbaijan (in Azerbaijani). 31 January 2017. Retrieved 15 September 2022.
  5. ↑ "Tarixdə baş vermiş qəza və fəlakətlər: Şamaxı zəlzələsi - 13 fevral 1902-ci il" [Accidents and disasters in history: Shamakhi earthquake - February 13, 1902]. Ministry of Emergency Situations (in Azerbaijani). Retrieved 15 September 2022.
  6. ↑ Farajova, Zohra (3 February 2022). "1902-ci il Şamaxı zəlzələsi..." [The 1902 Shamakhi earthquake...]. Azerbaijan . Retrieved 15 September 2022.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.