January 7, 1962 Earthquake: Croatia, Balkans NW

y. It began on 7 January 1962 with a foreshock of ML 5.9. The mainshock occurred four days later, on 11 January at 05:05. It had a magnitude ML 6.1, and the largest estimated intensity was VIII. The greatest damage was observed in villages and towns on and beneath the Biokovo Mt. in the Makarska municipality, on the central Adriatic islands (Hvar, Brac, Korcula, Lastovo) and on the Peljesac peninsula. The whole epicentral area was evacuated after the mainshock. The contemporary reports (e.g., Bozicevic, 1962) state that 2290 houses were left destroyed to the level of being unsuitable for living in, 78 schools and other public buildings were damaged, as well as 6 km of roads. Over 100 earthquakes were felt in the shaken area in the first week alone. (reference #2862)

The two largest events of 7 January and 11 January had magnitudes of M = 5.9 and M = 6.1, and were felt with

intensities of 8 and 8-9 MCS, respectively. The earthquakes caused large damage in the Biokovo area, and practically define the earthquake hazard there. (reference #11686)

Note: Detailed damages are listed with the earthquake on 11 January 1962 in the same region.