1977 Vrancea earthquake
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| Date | Friday, 4 March 1977 |
|---|---|
| Origin time | 19:21:54.3 (UTC) |
| Duration | 55 seconds |
| Magnitude | 7.2 Mw |
| Depth | 94 km |
| Epicenter | 45°46′N 26°46′E / 45.77°N 26.76°ECoordinates: 45°46′N 26°46′E / 45.77°N 26.76°E |
| Areas affected |
Romania Bulgaria Soviet Union Moldavian SSR Ukrainian SSR |
| Total damage | US$ 2.048 billion |
| Max. intensity | IX (violent) |
| Landslides | Yes |
| Casualties | 1,578 dead, 11,221 injured in Romania 120 dead, 165 injured in Bulgaria 2 dead in Moldova |
The 1977 Vrancea earthquake occurred on Friday, 4 March 1977, at 21:22 local time, and was felt throughout the Balkans. It had a magnitude of 7.2, making it the second most powerful earthquake recorded in Romania in the 20th century, after 10 November 1940 seismic event. The epicenter was situated in the Vrancea Mountains, the most seismically active part of Romania, at a depth of 94 km.
The earthquake killed about 1,578 people (1,424 in Bucharest) in Romania, and wounded more than 11,300. Among the victims were actor Toma Caragiu and writers A. E. Bakonsky, Alexandru Ivasiuc and Corneliu M. Popescu. Communist ruler Nicolae Ceaușescu suspended his official visit to Nigeria and declared state of emergency.
About 32,900 buildings were damaged or destroyed. Immediately after the earthquake, 35,000 families were without shelter. The economic losses are believed to have been as high as two billion US dollars though the sum was not confirmed by the authorities at that time. A detailed report on the destruction the earthquake caused was never published. Most of the damage was concentrated in Romania's capital, Bucharest, where about 33 large buildings collapsed. Most of those buildings were built before World War II, and were not reinforced. After the earthquake, the Romanian government imposed tougher construction standards.
In Bulgaria, the earthquake is known as the Vrancea earthquake or Svishtov earthquake. Three blocks of flats in the Bulgarian town of Svishtov (near Zimnicea) collapsed, killing more than 100 people. Many other buildings were damaged, including the Church of the Holy Trinity. In the Soviet Republic of Moldova the earthquake destroyed and damaged many buildings. In the capital Chişinău, a panic broke out.
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