1853 Shiraz earthquake

Earthquake in Iran 1853 Shiraz earthquake yes 22 April 1853 noon Iran IX 29.6 52.5 inline,title Iran 9,000–13,000 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.National Geophysical Data Center / World Data Service (NGDC/WDS): NCEI/WDS Global Significant Earthquake Database. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Significant Earthquake Information 1972 NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information https://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/hazel/view/hazards/earthquake/event-more-info/1942 4 November 2021 10.7289/V5TD9V7K Tectonic setting 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.Karasözen E. Nissen E. Bergman E.A. Ghods A. 2019 Seismotectonics of the Zagros (Iran) From Orogen-Wide, Calibrated Earthquake Relocations Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth 124 8 9109–9129 10.1029/2019JB017336 free Earthquake sequence 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.Ambraseys N.N. A History of Persian Earthquakes Melville C.P. Cambridge University Press 2005 9780521021876 62 Damage 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. 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. Most of the Masjid-i Nau also collapsed, while the Masjid-i Vakil and the Vakil Bazaar were mainly unaffected. The major aftershock later that day led to further damage and casualties. References Further reading Shafiee Amir Hossein Saadat Sina “You Already Know That the Town of Shiraz No Longer Exists”: Reappraising the May 1853 Devastating Earthquake in Shiraz, Iran Seismological Research Letters 96 1 2025 0895-0695 10.1785/0220240306 554–561 Category:Earthquakes in Iran Category:1853 earthquakes Category:1850s in Iran Category:1853 in Asia Category:April 1853 Category:History of Shiraz