1923 Torbat-e Heydarieh earthquake

Last updated

1923 Torbat-e Heydarieh earthquake
Iran relief location map.jpg
Bullseye1.png
UTC  time1923-05-25 22:21:36
ISC  event 911377
USGS-ANSS ComCat
Magnitude6.0 Mw
Depth15 km (9.3 mi)
Epicenter 35°13′N59°07′E / 35.21°N 59.12°E / 35.21; 59.12 (macroseismic)
Areas affected Iran
Max. intensity MMI VIII (Severe)
Casualties2,200 fatalities

The 1923 Torbat-e Heydarieh earthquake occurred in Razavi Khorasan province, Iran on 25 May. The Mw  6.0 earthquake, which had a maximum Modified Mercalli intensity of VIII (Severe), completely levelled the village of Quzan. [1] The earthquake killed an estimated 2,200 people. [2]

Contents

Earthquake

The earthquake's damaging effects were felt south of the city of Torbat-e Heydarieh, though the town and its residents were unharmed. It's epicenter is located about 8 km (5.0 mi) southwest of the town and south of the Doruneh Fault zone. Its surface-wave magnitude was 5.8 based on some observatory readings from Europe. The epicenter was determined based on the effects observed to be near Kaj Darakht. Some earthquake catalogs assigned epicenter locations with large error margins up to 524 km (326 mi) away from the macroseismic epicenter; in Herat, Balochistan and the Dasht-e Lut. Its location is within a seismically active zone that stretches from Nishapur to Sisan-e Qadim along a junction between the Lut Block and the flysch belt. This strip of area intersects the 600 km (370 mi) east-west striking Doruneh Fault zone that stretches from Khwaf to the Dasht-e Kavir. Though low-magnitude earthquakes are common, large events such as those in 1336 and 1619, are rare. [3]

The Doruneh Fault zone is one of the longest and most geologically prominent faults in Iran. It is a sinistral strike-slip fault with an annual slip rate of 2.5 mm (0.098 in). No large earthquakes has been associated with the fault in historical times although the 1923 event, moderate in magnitude, is a possible candidate. Large earthquakes are thought to occur along the fault every 2,000 years. [4]

Based on its macroseismic effects, the meizoseismal area was probably no larger than 60 km2 (23 sq mi) and had a radius no further than 5 km (3.1 mi). The Modified Mercalli intensity in the area was evaluated at VIII (Severe) based on reports of people and animals being tossed to the floor. There were no surface ruptures observed along the Doruneh Fault zone though limited land slumping occurred near channels and qanats which were not tectonic in origin. Modified Mercalli intensities no greater than VI (Strong) followed along a predominantly easternly trend from the epicenter and covered a 1,000 km2 (390 sq mi) area. [3]

Damage

Despite the relatively small magnitude, its epicenter in a densely populated region with many small and scattered villages made it destructive. The area with the greatest damage and assigned VIII (Severe) encompassed the settlements of Kaj Darakht, Quzan, Khurgh Mortazavieh; abandoned sites such as Chah-i Jauzaq, Qalandarabad, Aliabad, Taqiabad, Hasanabad, Hassanshab; and several farms. [3]

A doctor from the American Mission in Mashad said these reports were inflated, claiming the death toll did not exceed 1,000. About five villages were totally razed, 20 partially affected and only 30 deaths in Torbat-e Heydarieh. About 770 people died within this area while 90 people died in the surrounding region. Officials counted a total of 2,219 dead and 170 injured. Ambraseys and Moinfar only recorded about 900 fatalities. [3]

In Quzan, which was razed, lost residents and many of its livestock. The town was reconstructed over several years as the village's qanats continued supplying sufficient water despite its reduced capacity after the earthquake. In Kaj Darakht, 60 people died and the town was almost levelled. Several people died in Chah-i Jauzaq, a remote farm to the west–northwest. In Khurg, 1 km (0.62 mi) east of Quzan, about half of the 220 residents died. To the south, in Taqiabad, a village of 120 people, half the population was killed. In Mortazavieh, the village's mujtahid was among the 180 that died. [3]

Two hundred and thirty homes were damaged in city of Torbat-e Heydarieh which housed 10,000 inhabitants. Reports of damage in the city were highly exaggerated to sensationalise the event and raise greater concern. About 25 or fewer homes of the adobe kind and badly constructed, were destroyed, and only seven or eight people died in the city. In Buriabad, 15 people died and 50 of its 120 dwellings were damaged. Water flow in the village qanats may have increased following the shock. Damage covered a wide area which stretched 20 km (12 mi) east of Torbat-e Heydarieh but was considered minor; few homes collapsed, killing some people in Guji and Malekabad. Damage also occurred in other villages with limited or no fatalities. In Shadmehr, few homes were ruined while 50 others were near total-losses; about 15 people died. [3]

Aftermath

Separate boards were formed to handle the injured, sustinance for survivors and burial; crop cultivation and irrigation; and claims for dead people's will and property losses. The Governor-General of Mashad requested the Tehran treasury to provide 100,000 tumans for reconstruction efforts. A public assembly of the Majlis to discuss the grant petition opened on 9 June 1923 with Ahmad Shah Qajar being involved. Many villagers believed the grant would be used only for the interest of Torbat-e Heydarieh and their levelled settlements would not be restored. [3]

See also

Related Research Articles

The Dasht-e Bayaz and Ferdows earthquakes occurred in Dashte Bayaz, Kakhk and Ferdows, Iran in late August and early September 1968. The mainshock measured 7.1 on the moment magnitude scale and had a maximum perceived intensity of X (Extreme) on the Mercalli intensity scale. Damage was heavy in the affected areas with thousands of lives lost in the first event and many hundreds more in the second strong event.

The 1909 Borujerd earthquake also known as Silakhor earthquake occurred in Silakhor plain, Persia on January 23. Around 8,000 fatalities were caused directly from the magnitude 7.3 earthquake. An indefinite number of aftershocks continued for six months after the main shock. The section on this fault ruptured was the same as the main rupture zone of the 2006 Borujerd earthquake.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1837 Galilee earthquake</span> 1837 earthquake in present-day Israel

The Galilee earthquake of 1837, often called the Safed earthquake, shook the Galilee on January 1 and is one of a number of moderate to large events that have occurred along the Dead Sea Transform fault system that marks the boundary of two tectonic plates; the African plate on the west and the Arabian plate on the east. Intensity assessments for the event were VIII (Damaging) on the Medvedev–Sponheuer–Karnik scale and VIII on the European Macroseismic Scale.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">856 Damghan earthquake</span> Earthquake in Iran

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1980 El Asnam earthquake</span> 7.1 magnitude earthquake on the Algerian coast

The 1980 El Asnam earthquake occurred on October 10 at 13:25:23 local time with a moment magnitude of 7.1 and a maximum Mercalli intensity of X (Extreme). The shock occurred in the Algerian town of El Asnam. The shocks were felt over 550 km (340 mi) away, with the initial earthquake lasting 35 seconds. It was the largest earthquake in Algeria, and was followed three hours later by a magnitude 6.2 aftershock. The earthquake created about 42 km (26 mi) of surface rupture and had a vertical slip of up to 4.2 m (14 ft). No foreshocks were recorded. The earthquake was found to have occurred very close to the epicenter of the 1954 Chlef earthquake using joint epicenter determination techniques. It occurred at a previously unknown reverse fault.

The 1967 Mudurnu earthquake or more correctly, the 1967 Mudurnu Valley earthquake occurred at about 18:57 local time on 22 July near Mudurnu, Bolu Province, north-western Turkey. The magnitude 7.4 Mw earthquake was one of a series of major and intermediate quakes that have occurred in modern times along the North Anatolian Fault since 1939.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1839 Ava earthquake</span> Earthquake in British India

The 1839 Ava earthquake, also known as the Amarapura earthquake or Inwa earthquake, was a disastrous seismic event that struck present-day central Myanmar on March 23. This earthquake with an estimated moment magnitude as high as 8.3, was one of the largest in the country, since 1762. It was assigned a maximum of XI (Extreme) on the Modified Mercalli intensity scale, and was felt in Rangoon and Bhamo. Damage was enormous in Ava, resulting in the death of hundreds.

The 1953 Paphos earthquake struck British Cyprus on the morning of 10 September, at 06:05 EET. It had a magnitude of Ms  6.5 on the surface-wave magnitude scale, and had a maximum intensity of X (Extreme) on the Modified Mercalli intensity scale. The epicenter of this earthquake was situated off the island's west coast, near the city of Paphos. At least 40 people died and 100 were injured. It was also felt in Rhodes, Turkey, Egypt, Lebanon and Kastellorizo.

The 1909 Benavente earthquake occurred on 23 April at 17:39:36 local in the Santarém District of the Central Region, Portugal. The estimated moment magnitude 6.0–6.3 earthquake had a maximum Mercalli intensity of IX (Violent). It nearly destroyed the town of Benavente, killing 60 and injuring 75 people as a result.

The 1954 Sofades earthquake struck central Greece on April 30, 1954, at 16:02 (UTC+3). It was estimated to be 6.7–7.0 Mw  and had a maximum Modified Mercalli intensity of X (Extreme). More than 25 people died, 717 were injured and about 28,000 structures were damaged or destroyed.

The 1870 Charlevoix earthquake occurred on 20 October in the Canadian province of Quebec. It had a moment magnitude of 6.6 Mw  and a Modified Mercalli intensity rating of X (Extreme). The town of Baie-Saint-Paul was seriously damaged by the event, with the loss of six lives. Effects from the earthquake were felt as far as Virginia and along the New England coast of the United States.

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 1933 Sumatra earthquake or Liwa earthquake occurred in West Lampung Regency, Lampung Province, Indonesia on June 25. The earthquake had an estimated surface-wave magnitude (Ms ) of 7.7 occurring at a shallow depth of 20 km. It had an epicenter onshore, devastating the city of Liwa. At least 788 people were reported killed, although the death toll may have been in the thousands. Aftershocks followed, including one which was strong enough to cause additional fatalities. The mainshock also triggered a nearby volcanic eruption two weeks later, killing some people.

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

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 1912 Acambay earthquake affected central Mexico on 19 November at 07:55 local time. It had a moment magnitude of 6.7 Mw  and an epicenter in the Acambay graben, 100 km (62 mi) northwest of Mexico City. Damage was severe in Acambay and several nearby villages, and the casualty toll ranged between 140 and 1,200. There was also significant damage in Mexico City and one fatality. The earthquake occurred along three fault zones that bound the Acambay graben, an extensional tectonic feature located within the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt. Surface ruptures were observed on these fault zones.

The 1957 Alborz earthquake struck northern Iran's Mazandaran province at 04:12 local time on 2 July. It had a moment magnitude (Mw ) of 7.1 and occurred at a focal depth of 15 km (9.3 mi). The thrust-faulting shock was assigned a maximum Modified Mercalli intensity of IX (Violent). It devastated 120 villages in the Alborz Mountains and caused an estimated 1,500 fatalities. The earthquake also triggered landslides including one that dammed the Haraz River. Some damage was also reported in Tehran, Qaem Shahr and Sari. The total damage was estimated at US$25 million.

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.

References

  1. ↑ ISC (2014), ISC-GEM Global Instrumental Earthquake Catalogue (1900–2009), Version 2.0, International Seismological Centre
  2. ↑ National Geophysical Data Center (1972). "Significant Earthquake Information". National Geophysical Data Center / World Data Service (NGDC/WDS): NCEI/WDS Global Significant Earthquake Database. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K . Retrieved 7 June 2024.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Ambraseys, N. N.; Moinfar (1977). "The seismicity of Iran. The Kaj Darakht, Khurasan, earthquake of 25lh May, 1923". Annals of Geophysics. 30 (1–2): 3–18. doi: 10.4401/ag-4813 . ISSN   2037-416X.
  4. ↑ Fattahi, M.; Walker, R. T.; Khatib, M. M.; Dolati, A.; Bahroudi, A. (2007). "Slip-rate estimate and past earthquakes on the Doruneh fault, eastern Iran". Geophysical Journal International. 168 (2): 691–709. Bibcode:2007GeoJI.168..691F. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-246X.2006.03248.x .
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.