1909 Borujerd earthquake

1909 Borujerd earthqukae
Date 23 January 1909
Magnitude 7.3 (Richter scale)
Epicenter 33°00′N 50°00′E / 33.00°N 50.00°ECoordinates: 33°00′N 50°00′E / 33.00°N 50.00°E [1]
Areas affected Iran
Tsunami none
Casualties at least 8,000 dead

The 1909 Borujerd earthquake also known as Silakhor earthquake occurred in Silakhor plain (in the south of today's Borujerd County), Persia (modern day Iran) on January 23, 1909. 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.[2]

Background

Occurring on the local Dorood Fault, the tremor caused 40 kilometres (25 mi) of visible surface faulting was recorded on the fault.[3]

Damage and casualties

60 villages within the region were either completely destroyed or damaged beyond repair. Casualties were extensive, occurring in 130 individual villages.[3] However, damage was contained within a 40,000 square kilometres (15,000 sq mi) area. 8,000 were killed in this sector along with several thousand animals.[4]

Damage was worst within the epicentral area (Silakhor Valley) and surrounding valleys populated by domestic tribes. Signs of ground failure and landslides was evident for another 20–30 kilometres (12–19 mi) southeast of the epicenter.[4]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Darb_e_Astaneh (Silakhor) Earthquake Report: March 31, 2006; ML=6.1". International Institute of Earthquake Engineering and Seismology (IIEES). Retrieved February 22, 2009.
  2. ↑ "Magnitude 6.1 - Western Iran: Summary". United States Geological Survey. July 16, 2008. Retrieved January 22, 2009.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Earthquakes with 1,000 or More Deaths since 1900". United States Geological Survey. January 29, 2009. Archived from the original on 2009-06-14. Retrieved February 22, 2009.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Ambraseys 1974, pp. 399–427.
Bibliography