1977 Khurgu earthquake

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Coordinates: 27°35′02″N 56°22′41″E / 27.584°N 56.378°E / 27.584; 56.378
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1977 Khurgu earthquake
1977 Khurgu earthquake is located in Iran
Tehran
Tehran
1977 Khurgu earthquake
UTC time1977-03-21 21:18:54
ISC event701441
USGS-ANSSComCat
Magnitude6.7 Mw 
Depth12.5 km (7.8 mi)
Epicenter27°35′02″N 56°22′41″E / 27.584°N 56.378°E / 27.584; 56.378
TypeThrust
Areas affectedIran
Max. intensityMMI IX (Violent)
Casualties152–167 dead, 556 injured

The 1977 Khurgu earthquake struck southern Iran near

moment magnitude (Mw ) 6.7 struck at a depth of 12.5 km (7.8 mi).[1] Thirty five villages were heavily damaged including over 20 which were destroyed. There were 152–167 people killed and 556 injured.[2]

Tectonic setting

The

crustal shortening
. In the central and northwestern Zagros, its strike changes to northwest–southeast. Here, convergence is oblique and occurs at ~4 mm (0.16 in)/yr.

Earthquake

The earthquake was the result of shallow thrust faulting on either a north or south dipping fault as indicated by its

surface faulting was observed.[6]

Impact

The death toll was moderate (152–167 killed out of a population of 11,117) due to the occurrence of a strong foreshock that was widely felt. The foreshock acted as a warning sign to residents. Many were awaken by the foreshock and rushed out of their homes before the mainshock struck. The time interval between the foreshock and mainshock was estimated to be 10–15 seconds. This helped reduce the number of fatalities. Many casualties were the seniors and children who were unable to respond to the foreshock.[4] There were no reported casualties in Bandar Abbas.[7]

A 550 km2 (210 sq mi) area was devastated. More than 1,500 homes were heavily damaged. Buildings in the epicenter region are constructed with traditional designs with minimal variations. Schools and elevated water tank were constructed better. Building materials mainly consists of clay bricks, stones and mud. Structural failures initiated at corners before progressing to the walls, causing roofs to collapse. Strong ground motion only persisted for a short time as most failures were incomplete. Damage to supporting columns in buildings suggest the earthquake produced large vertical ground motions. This was further supported by overturned stones found near an affected village. A road connecting Bandar Abbas to Kerman had minor damage. A crack formed on the tunnel wall while at a bridge, minor cracks were observed. Near the tunnel, ground lurching was reported.

In Bandar Abbas, 40 km (25 mi) south of the epicenter, damage was slight. Buildings in the city were recently constructed and designed to resist seismic events. Damage was extensive at the Gameron Hotel, where a wing was severely cracked. Many guests panicked and rushed to exit the hotel. At the city airport, hairline cracks developed in concrete columns and tiles fell. Due to the increased urban development in this earthquake-prone area, seismic instruments in the city recorded ground motions from the earthquake.[4] The earthquake was also felt on Kish island where the Shah was residing at. Aircraft from Tehran flew into Bandar Abbas to bring relief supplies. Iran Air performed emergency flights to ferry tourists out of Bandar Abbas.[7]

See also

References

  1. ^ "International Seismological Centre Online Event Bibliography". ISC: On-Line Bulletin. International Seismological Centre. Retrieved 10 August 2022.
  2. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K
  3. S2CID 130306027
    .
  4. ^
    doi:10.1785/BSSA0680020411 (inactive 31 January 2024).{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: DOI inactive as of January 2024 (link
    )
  5. doi:10.1016/0040-1951(94)00185-C
    .
  6. ISBN 9780444632920
    .
  7. ^ a b "60 Are Killed by Earthquake in Southern Iran". The New York Times. 23 March 1977. Retrieved 2 September 2022.
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