1997 Bojnurd earthquake

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Coordinates: 37°41′N 57°16′E / 37.68°N 57.27°E / 37.68; 57.27
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1997 Bojnurd earthquake
1997 Bojnurd earthquake is located in Iran
1997 Bojnurd earthquake
Tehran
Tehran
UTC time1997-02-04 10:37:47
ISC event1009575
USGS-ANSSComCat
Local dateFebruary 4, 1997 (1997-02-04)
Local time14:07 IRST
Duration5 seconds
Magnitude6.5 Mw [1]
Depth16.8 km (10 mi) [1]
Epicenter37°41′N 57°16′E / 37.68°N 57.27°E / 37.68; 57.27 [1]
TypeStrike-slip
Areas affectedIran
Total damage>$US 30 million
Max. intensityMMI VIII (Severe)
Peak acceleration0.3 g
ForeshocksMw 5.4
Casualties88–100 dead, 1,948 injured

The 1997 Bojnurd earthquake (also known as the Garmkhan earthquake) occurred on 4 February at 14:07

US$ 30 million.[a]

Background and tectonics

See also: Geology of Iran
The tectonic setting of Iran and surrounding area

The

Cimmerian orogeny which began after the Paleo-Tethys Ocean closed (Late Triassic or Early Jurassic), and the Alpine orogeny after closing the Tethys Ocean (Late Eocene).[4]

Present-day seismic activity indicate tectonic deformation is being accommodated along the Zagros, Alborz and Kopet Dag mountains. Deformation is also accommodated in eastern and central Iran, as well as in the Dasht-e Lut, in the form of tectonic blocks. The Arabian shield moves northwards at approximately 23 mm (0.91 in) per year, where the Zagros fold and thrust belt accommodates roughly half of it. Meanwhile, the rest is distributed across the Alborz, Kopet Dag and central Caspian Sea. In southern Iran, this motion is partially accommodated by the Makran Trench subduction zone. In eastern Iran (south of the Kopet Dag), north–south trending right-lateral strike-slip faults in a 400 km (250 mi)-wide shear zone accommodate the motion.[5]

The northern Kopet Dag range front marks a linear boundary with the

Bojnurd, right-lateral strike-slip faulting occurs. Right-lateral faults have been observed displacing the mountain belt.[4]

Historical seismicity

See also: List of historical earthquakes
A map of major faults in Iran

Northeastern Iran is rich in historical records of earthquakes due to its geographical importance in trade between Europe and Asia. Earthquakes in the region have been recorded for over 2,000 years. Among the most damaging were the earthquakes at nearby Quchan in 1851 (M 6.9), 1871–72 (M 7.0–7.1), 1893 (M 7.1), and 1895 (M 6.8). In the 20th century, two earthquakes in 1929 (M 7.4) and 1948 (M 7.2) were also destructive.[5]

The Ashkabad Fault, a right-lateral strike-slip structure, runs linear to the northern Kopet Dag front range. It is believed to have produced up to 35 km (22 mi) of strike-slip displacement. Between Bojnord and Quchan is a zone of north-northwest–south-southeast trending right-lateral strike-slip faults that cuts through the mountains. This zone is known as the Bakharden–Quchan Fault Zone (BQFZ). Faults of the BQFZ were responsible for strong earthquakes near Bojnurd from 1997 to 2000. Seismicity is restricted to the shallow continental crust no deeper than 30 km (19 mi),[7] and displays thrust and strike-slip focal mechanisms.[4] A magnitude 7.2 earthquake in 1948 may have been associated with this fault zone.[5]

Earthquake

An analysis of

body wave from the mainshock indicated strike-slip faulting with some vertical component.[7] Using teleseismic instruments, the epicenter was calculated to be slightly west of where the fault and area of destruction was located. The rupture occurred along a 15 km (9.3 mi)-long right-lateral strike-slip fault. Based on the distribution of aftershocks, the source fault is oriented north-northwest–south-southeast, and slightly concave to the east. A rupture initiated on the northern part of the fault and propagated southwards along its strike for five seconds. The fault produced an average displacement of 0.5–1.0 m (1 ft 8 in – 3 ft 3 in). This style and orientation of faulting is consistent with past earthquakes in the region.[8]

Strong ground motion

See also: Spectral acceleration
A strong ground motion map show shaking intensity

Based on the extent of damage, a maximum

shear wave pulse towards the southeast (the rupture direction), where Sheikh was located.[5] On the European macroseismic scale and Environmental Seismic Intensity scale, the mainshock was assigned a maximum intensity of X.[9]

Impact

Serious damage was reported in 173 villages—106 in Bojnord County and 67 in Shirvan County.[10] Damage was mainly attributed to the poor construction of adobe homes on steep slopes. One village in the meizoseismal area experienced the complete loss of all adobe-constructed homes; only two reinforced concrete buildings survived but with substantial damage.[2] The villages of Naveh, Ghezel Ghan and Sheikh were completely destroyed.[11] A total of 5,500 homes collapsed and 11,000 were damaged.[12] An additional 12,000 livestock died. Many landslides and slope failures were reported.[2] The total cost of damage was estimated to be greater than $US 30 million.[10]

Residents were alerted to the possibility of a larger earthquake due to the occurrence of a Mw  5.4 foreshock at 13:23 IRST that same day. During the mainshock, many residents in the affected area were working outdoors. These factors prevented a higher death toll.[5] Some damage was reported at Bojnurd—although no buildings collapsed, many were severely cracked and structurally compromised. A petrochemical plant located 15 km (9.3 mi) from the epicenter had minor damage, causing a cessation of operations for several days.[2]

Initial reports stated that 38 people were killed and 90 were injured in the city of Bojnord alone, according to the Iranian state media.[13] The following day, the death toll in Bojnurd and Shirvan rose to 72, and about 200 were injured.[14] By 20 April, the death toll stood at 82 in Bojnord County and 6 in Shirvan County. At least 498 people were seriously injured and required hospitalization. A further 1,450 received minor injuries.[10]

Aftermath

Bojnurd photographed in 2018

The Iranian

Red Crescent Society of Iran, were involved in providing aid to the affected communities. Items such as tents, lanterns, clothing, food and sanitary products were mobilized. The Government of Iran also stated international assistance would be welcomed and handled domestically.[10]

Rumors about the potential for another large earthquake began to spread, causing panic. Mohammad Tartar, vice president of research and technology at Iran's International Institute of Earthquake Engineering and Seismology, said further studies were required to understand the geophysical effects on nearby faults introduced by the earthquake. He added there was a possibility that another fault might rupture and cause an earthquake in the next few years. However, the chances of a larger earthquake measuring 6.5 immediately following the 4 February event were slim. He also said strong aftershocks were possible and humanitarian agencies should be wary.[15]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ This would cost ~US$ 55.6 million in 2022.[3]

References

  1. ^ a b c ISC (27 June 2022). "ISC-GEM Global Instrumental Earthquake Catalogue (1900–2009)". Version 9.1. International Seismological Centre.
  2. ^
    doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K
    .
  3. ^ "Inflation Calculator". U.S. Inflation Calculator. 13 December 2022. Retrieved 27 December 2022.
  4. ^ a b c d Robert et al. 2014.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g Hollingsworth et al. 2006.
  6. ^ Berberian 2014.
  7. ^ a b Jackson et al. 2002.
  8. ^ a b Hollingsworth et al. 2007.
  9. ^ Amini, Zare & Gasperini 2017.
  10. ^
    UN Department of Humanitarian Affairs (20 April 1997). "Iran Earthquake Situation Report No.4". ReliefWeb
    . Retrieved 10 March 2022.
  11. ^ "Garmkhan Earthquake of 04 February 1997, Mw 6.6". International Institute of Earthquake Engineering and Seismology. 4 February 2016. Retrieved 10 March 2022.
  12. ^ Aminipanah, Gheitanchi & Ghorashi 2010.
  13. ^ "Two strong quakes kill 38 in Iran". CNN. 4 February 1997. Retrieved 10 March 2022.
  14. ^ "Earthquake Toll Rises in Iran as Aftershocks Hit". Tehran, Iran: ReliefWeb. Reuters. 5 February 1997. Retrieved 10 March 2022.
  15. ^ Heidarzadeh, Nazli. "همه چیز درباره وقوع زلزله و پس لرزه در بجنورد" [Everything about earthquakes and aftershocks in Bojnord] (in Persian). Khorasan Newspaper. Retrieved 11 March 2022.

Sources

Further reading

External links
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