October 26, 740 Earthquake: Istanbul (Constantinople), Turkey

740, October 26. 41 N, 28.7 E, magnitude 7.6, Constantinople (IX). According to Theophanes, due to this violent and terrible earthquake, churches and monasteries collapsed and many people were killed in Constantinople. The statue of Constantine the Great at the Gate of Attalos, the statue of Theodosios the Great at the Golden Gate and the landward walls also collapsed. Towns (Veroi, Agchialos) and villages in Thrace, the cities of Nicomedia and Praenetos were destroyed as well as Nicea where only one church survived. In certain places, the sea receded from its shores. The earthquakes lasted for twelve months. Schmidt (1867a) writes that the earthquake was felt in Thessalia. (reference #4408)

740, October 26, 8th hour of the day. Constantinople; also felt in Thrace, Asia Minor. The shocks continued at intervals for 8 months. In some places the sea retired from the land. Several cities ruined, and many lives lost. (reference #521)

740, October 26. Turkey (Thrace), Constantinople and Asia Minor. In some places the sea retired. Intensity III which corresponds to an earthquake which destroyed towns and devastated districts. (reference #1055)

740, October 26. 41.04 N, 28.98 E, intensity VIII. Vicinity of Istanbul. (reference #1071)

740, October 26. This was a destructive earthquake in the eastern part of the sea of Marmara. Many churches, monasteries, public buildings and private houses in Bithynia were destroyed or ruined, with a great loss of life... So extensive and widespread was the damage that, to meet the extraordinary expenditure for repairs and reconstruction, the emperor was obliged to impose additional taxation. The event was commemorated by the church. In some places (not named) the sea drew back from the shores, changing the coastline permanently. It is not clear whether this was the result of the uplift of the coast. (reference #9116)