April 22, 1853 Earthquake: Shiraz, Iran

On April 21-22, or May 4, 1853 an earthquake in Shiraz killed 12,000-13,000 people. An earthquake on July 11, 1853 listed in some references is probably referring to the event on April 21 or May 4, 1853.

A large portion of Shiraz was destroyed killing about 13,000 people. The main shock occurred early in the morning and was accompanied by a loud noise. It caused extensive ground settlements and cracking on the surface of the ground and on the mountains around the city. There were land and rock slides filling the sky over the city with dust for a few days. Aftershocks occurred for many days. The Dome and some parts of the Shrine of Shahe-Cheragh Masjid-i-Naw and College of Khan were destroyed. The Bazaar and Mosque of Vakil and most other strong masonry buildings, which were built by Karim Khane Zand survived this earthquake also. The intensity of this earthquake

in Shiraz seems to have been between VII to IX (MM). Condition of the city and people is described in poems by Davari and others. (reference #4087)

May 4, 1853 = 1269 Rajab 25, on Wednesday at night, a violent earthquake caused heavy destruction at Shiraz, the number of deaths amounted to about 12,000. This earthquake caused extensive ground settlement and fissuring of the surface in the mountains around the city. Many aftershocks occurred for many days. The Bazaar and Vakil mosque and other strong masonry buildings survived this earthquake, (The Times 1853 June 29 p.4f: Seni'ud Dovleh 1880: McEvilly & Razani 1973; Hekmat, 1964 p.25: Milne 1911; Wilson 1930: (Perrey;Wells,C.J.); Nakhdjuvani 7959).

July 11, 1853, Ispahan (?), 10,000 people killed, III (Milne 1911: Perrey: Wilson 1930: Perrey). This statement appears to refer to the earthquake in Shiraz on 4 May 1853. Discrepancies in date may be due to the use of old style and to subsequent reporting from Isfahan. (reference #1217)

April 21, 1853, Shiraz, Zagros, 12,000 dead. (reference #1002)

April 21-22, 1853, Persia, Shiraz, 12,000 people killed. (reference #1055)

May 4, 1853, 12:00 (local time), 29.6 N, 52.5 E, intensity VIII, magnitude 6.2, 9,000 killed. (reference #3437)

July 11, 1853, Isfahan, Zagros, 10,000 killed. (reference #1002)

July 11, 1853, Persia, Ispahan, 10,000 killed. (reference #1055)