December 8, 1842 Earthquake: Ankober, Ethiopia

December 8, 1842, Ethiopia. Strong shocks at Ankobar in Ethiopia triggered landslides and flowslides that buried many houses, destroying roads and part of the palace, killing a number of people. For many miles, landslides destroyed or heavily damaged some villages, ruined the crops and caused a number of casualties. As a result of this, the capital of Shoa was relocated at Debre Berhan. (reference #3845)

Between April 1841 and December 1842, several earthquakes shook the region of Debre Berhan, some 100-120 km NE of Addis Ababa. Along the Plateau's escarpment, they triggered landslides and rockfalls that destroyed the town of Ankober (N 09.6', E 39.8') then capital of Shoa, and some nearby villages. Negus Sahle Sellassie was then forced to relocate his capital on the summit of the escarpment at Debre Berhan (N 09.7', E 39.6'). The first shocks were reported on 23 and 24 April 1841. On 7 July 1842, two other earthquakes triggered a landslide that blocked the road from Debre Berhan to Ankober. On 8 December of the same year, stronger shocks caused substantial landslides - Ankober was destroyed. Surrounding villages were either destroyed or heavily damaged. There is no accurate account of the casualties. (reference #1134)