Significant earthquakes of 1983

October 30, 1983 Earthquake: Erzurum, Kars, Khorasan, Pasinler, Narman, Turkey

October 30, 1983 · M6.9 · 1,342 deaths · $25 million

A magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck Erzurum, Kars, Khorasan, Pasinler, Narman, Turkey on October 30, 1983 at 04:12:27 UTC, 12 km below the surface. It killed 1,342 people.

Map

Where it struck, with the other significant earthquakes within 200 km. Circles are sized and colored by magnitude; select one for its page.

The earthquake

Date
October 30, 1983
Time
04:12:27 UTC
Place
Erzurum, Kars, Khorasan, Pasinler, Narman, Turkey
Magnitude
6.9 (Ms)
Focal depth
12 km (7 mi)
Tsunami
None recorded
Epicenter
40.330° N, 42.187° E
Country
Turkey

The toll

Deaths
1,342
Injuries
1,142
Damage
$25 million
Houses destroyed
Very many (over 1,000)

Where the literature gives no number, NCEI records a description on a scale of 1 to 4, printed here in its words. Damage is in millions of US dollars of the year of the event, not adjusted for inflation.

What the record says

NCEI’s account, from the sources it cites.

At least 1,342 people killed, many injured, 534 seriously injured, more than 25,000 people homeless, 50 villages completely destroyed in the province of Erzurum and Kars. (reference #1053)

1,155 people killed, 1,142 injured, $25 million damage. (reference #1250)

Other significant earthquakes nearby

Within 200 km, the deadliest first.

More

Significant earthquakes of 1983The 1900sEvery quake the USGS located in 1983Recent earthquakes near hereThis day in weather history

Sources

Significant earthquakes from NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information, Global Historical Hazard Database, cited as NCEI/WDS, doi:10.7289/V5PN93H7. Public domain. Read 2026-09-24. NCEI earthquake 4999.