1930 Salmas earthquake
 Tabriz
Kirkuk
Baghdad
 |
|
| Date | May 6 at 22:34:26 UTC |
|---|---|
| Magnitude | 7.1 Mw |
| Depth | 15 km (9.3 mi) |
| Epicenter | 38°05′N 44°47′E / 38.09°N 44.78°ECoordinates: 38°05′N 44°47′E / 38.09°N 44.78°E |
| Type | Oblique-slip |
| Areas affected | Iran, Turkey |
| Max. intensity | IX (Violent) |
| Landslides | Yes |
| Foreshocks | 5.4 Mb May 6 at 07:03:26 |
| Casualties | 1,360–3,000 killed |
The 1930 Salmas earthquake occurred on May 7 at 01:34:26 IRST in West Azerbaijan Province, Iran. The earthquake, which was among Iran's largest, measured 7.1 on the moment magnitude scale and had a maximum Mercalli intensity of IX (Violent). A damaging foreshock occurred fifteen hours prior to the main event and served as a warning to the people that felt it strongly. Reports from seismologists and seismological organizations indicate that up to 3,000 fatalities may have occurred in western Iran and eastern Turkey.
Sixty villages (including the large settlement of Dilman, which was relocated and rebuilt as Salmas) were destroyed in the Salmas Plain and in the surrounding mountainous regions. A destructive aftershock sequence affected many villages, and in some cases, damage was inflicted on some that had escaped devastation during the mainshock. An inspection of the region was undertaken, but not until decades later, at which time substantial surface faulting and other ground effects were documented.
The epicentral area in the Salmas Plain covers 300 square kilometres (120 sq mi) and is positioned northwest of Lake Urmia. This area had been inhabited primarily by Christians for about a thousand years prior to the event (which was one of the largest earthquakes to occur in Iran since 1900). The mountainous areas surrounding the plain are extremely isolated with villages (comprising mainly Kurdish people) that are spread far apart. Montane villagers sustained themselves primarily on wheat and cattle farming. To the west, near the Turkish border, lies Aravil Dagi, a volcano that is the highest peak in the region.
A relatively strong foreshock occurred at about 10:03:26 IRST on May 6 in the same area as the mainshock. This destructive event caused 25 fatalities and was felt as far as northwestern Azerbaijan and southeastern Turkey. Damage to adobe homes was substantial. Roofs and walls collapsed and in some instances whole homes were demolished. Many of the villagers in the valley spent the following night outdoors and were spared during the main event, but in the mountainous villages where the shock was not felt as strongly (Shekar Yazi, Sheydan, Ashnak, Aslanik, and others) the population was not as concerned. Many slept indoors and this led to high casualties in those areas during the mainshock a little more than 15 hours later.
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