1222 Cyprus earthquake

Coordinates: 34°42′N 32°36′E / 34.7°N 32.6°E / 34.7; 32.6
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

1222 Cyprus earthquake
1222 Cyprus earthquake is located in Cyprus
Paphos
Paphos
1222 Cyprus earthquake
Local date11 May 1222 (1222-05-11)
Local time08:15
Magnitude7.0–7.5
Epicenter34°42′N 32°36′E / 34.7°N 32.6°E / 34.7; 32.6
Areas affectedCyprus
Max. intensityMMI IX (Violent)
TsunamiYes
CasualtiesMany

The 1222 Cyprus earthquake occurred at about 06:15 UTC on 11 May. It had an estimated magnitude of 7.0–7.5 and triggered a paleotsunami that was recorded in Libya and Alexandria. The strongest shaking was felt in Nicosia, Limassol and Paphos.[1] Many people died, although there are no estimates for the total number of casualties.[2]

Tectonic setting

The estimated location of the earthquake is on the southwestern coast of Cyprus and is thought to be associated with the

Anatolian Plate. The relative motion of the Anatolian Plate is almost entirely westwards relative to the African Plate.[3] In the eastern part of the arc, earthquakes are entirely strike-slip in character. To the west they show a combination of thrust faulting and strike-slip. A major NE-SW trending strike-slip structure has been identified just west of Cyprus, that is responsible for larger earthquakes in this area.[3]

Damage

Much damage was caused at Limassol and Nicosia and other parts of the island, but the greatest damage was done at Paphos, where there was great loss of life.

Franciscan order abandoned their church in Paphos after the earthquake.[5] The castle of Saranta Kolones, built only 30 years earlier overlooking the harbour, was destroyed by the earthquake. It was never rebuilt, as it was no longer needed to protect the port, which had dried up.[6][7] The earthquake permanently changed Paphos, rendering the harbour unusable, and moving the shoreline seawards; it no longer had a protected anchorage.[7]

Characteristics

The estimated magnitude for this event is 7.0–7.5 with a maximum estimated felt intensity of IX (Violent).[1]

See also

References

  1. ^
    S2CID 131426966
    .
  2. ^
    ISBN 978-0-521-39120-7
    .
  3. ^
    doi:10.1111/j.1365-246X.2005.02737.x
    .
  4. ISBN 978-0-521-84455-0
    .
  5. ^ Antonopoulos, J. (1980). "Data from investigation on seismic Sea waves events in the Eastern Mediterranean from 1000 to 1500 A.D". Annali di Geofisica. 33: 179–198.
  6. JSTOR 1291516. Archived from the original
    on 6 September 2012. Retrieved 31 July 2010.
  7. ^
    ISBN 978-0-7546-5197-0
    .

Further reading
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=1222_Cyprus_earthquake&oldid=1156589257"