April 26, 1721 Earthquake: Tabriz, Iran

April 26, 1721, 07 local time, Southeast Tabriz. Early in the morning of Sunday 28 Jumada II, 1133, a major earthquake (37.9N, 46.7E, magnitude 7.7) shook the region of Tabriz, killing at least 40000 people. In Tabriz itself the shock ruined about three quarters of the houses and caused substantial damage to most of the larger buildings which did not, however, collapse. Detailed information about the extent of the affected region outside Tabriz is lacking, but internal evidence suggests that the heaviest destruction, accounting for the large number of casualties, occurred within a zone that extended from near Tabriz to the southeast, through Shibli and beyond Qareh Baba. The shock triggered many rockfalls and was associated

with a fault break that extended for at least fifty kilometres, from Takmeh Dash to near Tabriz. The break

through Shibli was still visible in 1809, and parts of the

fault trace that seems to be connected with this earthquake

can be seen today on the ground. The shock seems also to have been strongly felt in the Qazvin region and was followed by many strong aftershocks. (reference #1117)

April 26, 1721 = 1133 A.H.L. Jumada-al-ukhra 28, one and a half hours after sunrise a violent earthquake took place at Tabriz. This earthquake destroyed many buildings including mosques and schools, killing many people. The various authorities are in agreement that Tabriz end region experienced a severely destructive earthquake in 1721 A.D. There is a notable discrepancy in the mortality figures however, with Mallet giving 8,000 dead as a low figure and Sani'ud Dovlah reporting 250,000 killed. A more credible figure of 80,000 killed in this earthquake is given by a later writer, who derives his figure from a more original and reliable source. (reference #1217)

April 26, 1721, Persia, Tabriz, 8,000 lives lost, intensity III which corresponds to an earthquake which destroyed towns and devastated districts. (reference #1055)

1721, Sebli-Tabriz, 40,000 casualties. (reference #3937)

April 26, 1721, Tabriz, 40,000 casualties. (reference #1051)