February 18, 1483 Earthquake: Off Coast, Iran

Feb 18, 1483, 24.9 N, 57.9 E, magnitude 7.7. (reference #3437)

Feb 18, 1483, 24.9 N, 57.9 E, magnitude 7.7. 1483 February 18 Western Makran. On 21 Ramadan 887/3 November 1482, a series of foreshocks began, culminating three months later on 10 Muharram 888/18 February 1483 in a destructive earthquake in the Strait of Hurmuz, In Jarun the earthquake damaged or threw down certain tall buildings, the minarets of the mosques and the ventilation chimneys (badgirs) of the houses. The absence of data from the Persian mainland, and the reference to the earthquake in Oman, suggest therefore the further possibility that the shock originated offshore from the western coast of Makran. (reference #1117)

In conclusion, the most likely explanation of the Qalhat story is that the town was damaged by an earthquake in April 1497 with a local epicentre, and a magnitude in the region of 6 Mw. This has the corresponding effect of downgrading estimates of the size of the 1483 Hormuz earthquake, from 7.7 Mw to about the same size. Without any further reason to suppose that the 18 February 1483 earthquake was felt in Oman, it becomes entirely a local event to Hormuz, as is strongly suggested anyway by the numerous foreshocks felt in Hormuz. This in turn removes any evidence that the Western Makran has been active in producing large earthquakes in historical times. (reference #13280)