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1956 Baghlan earthquake

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Earthquake in Afghanistan

1956 Afghanistan earthquake
1956 Baghlan earthquake is located in Afghanistan1956 Baghlan earthquakeKabulKabul
UTC time1956-06-09 23:13:55
ISC event888345
USGS-ANSSComCat
Local date10 June 1956 (10 June 1956)
Local time03:43
Magnitude7.3 Mw
Depth25 km (16 mi)
Epicenter35°09′18″N 67°36′25″E / 35.155°N 67.607°E / 35.155; 67.607
TypeOblique-slip
Areas affectedAfghanistan
Max. intensityMMI VIII (Severe)–MMI IX (Violent)
CasualtiesDeaths
Reported: 570–900
Afghan Embassy reported: 300
Injured
Reported: 2,000–2,500
Afghan Embassy reported: 200

The 1956 Afghanistan earthquake occurred in the early morning of 10 June 1956, causing considerable damage and casualties in the area of Kabul, Bamyan and the Hindu Kush mountain range. It had a magnitude of 7.3 on the surface-wave magnitude scale. The total number of deaths were between 300 and as high as 900. According to Radio Afghanistan it was the heaviest registered earthquake ever in Afghanistan.

Earthquake

It had an magnitude of 7.3 on the surface-wave magnitude scale at a depth of 25 km (16 mi). A foreshock was recorded one day prior to the mainshock. The foreshock occurred in Sayghan District, Kahmard District and Bamyan. Five aftershocks followed the mainshock within the next two days. The location of these events delineated a 50 km (31 mi) rupture length trending northeast. The northeast trend was also consistent with the meizoseismal area where the Mercalli intensity was VIII–IX (Severe–Violent). Rupture occurred north of the Herat Fault; a 1,100 km (680 mi) long strike-slip fault trending east–west; no major earthquakes have been associated with the fault in the instrumental period. Many aftershocks followed a week after the mainshock.

Impact

The most affected areas were Kabul, Bamyan and the Hindu Kush mountain range. In the affected areas all communication method and infrastructure was destroyed. In the Kabul area, thousands of houses collapsed, including some government buildings. Villages were destroyed by landslides and rockslides; hundreds of houses were washed away by floods in the Kunar Valley. The earthquake caused the landscape to change. The large rocks fell into the river valley, altering the course of the river. Due to the damaged infrastructure, traffic was blocked in many affected areas.

In initial reports no number of victims could be given, as information was limited because all communication was destroyed in the affected area. Ten people were killed due to a bridge that collapsed. As of 14 June, four days after the first earthquake, according to Radio Afghanistan at least hundred people were killed, 600 were missing and thousands were injured. The next day the number of deaths were reported between 60 and 70. 17 June, a week after the earthquake Radio Afghanistan reported around 270 deaths. The next day 2500 new victims were announced, of whom 300 deaths. In one of the affected areas 140 people were killed and 900 injured due to heavy floods. In another part of the valley there were 160 people killed and 1,000 injured. The total number of deaths reported by media was as high as 570 to 900, while the total number of injured people were reported to be 2,000–2,500, The Afghan embassy reported 300 deaths and 200 injuries.

Response

Relief work was carried out by Hilal Ahmar. Coordination was done by officials of the Ministries of health and public works. Afghanistan received international aid. The Netherlands Red Cross sent, with transport help of KLM, aid to the victims. Pakistan offered doctors and medication.

See also

References

  1. ^ ISC (2022), ISC-GEM Global Instrumental Earthquake Catalogue (1904–2018), Version 9.1, International Seismological Centre, retrieved 7 October 2023
  2. ^ Quittmeyer, R. C.; Jacob, K. H. (1979), "Historical and modern seismicity of Pakistan, Afghanistan, northwestern India, and southeastern Iran", Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America, 69 (3): 773–823, retrieved 7 October 2023
  3. ^ "Reddingsploeg vindt nog 2500 slachtoffers" [Rescue team finds 2500 more victims]. De Tijd (in Dutch). 19 June 1956. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  4. ^ "In Afghanistan reeds 900 doden". Java-bode (in Dutch). 21 June 1956. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  5. ^ "Aardbeving eist 300 mensenlevens". Provinciale Drentsche en Asser Courant (in Dutch). 23 June 1956. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  6. ^ "Aardbeving Afghanistan erger dan gedacht". De nieuwsgier (in Dutch). 21 June 1956. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  7. ^ "Landschap in Afghanistan veranderd. Honderden doden bij aardbeving". De Volkskrant (in Dutch). 15 June 1956. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  8. "M 7.3 – central Afghanistan". United States Geological Survey. Retrieved 11 January 2017.
  9. ^ "Nog steeds aardschokken in Afghanistan". De Twentsche Courant Tubantia (in Dutch). 18 June 1956. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  10. ^ "Honderden doden door aardbeving in Afghanistan". Algemeen Handelsblad (in Dutch). 14 June 1956. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  11. "Zwarw aardbeving in Afghanistan" [Severe earthquake in Afghanistan]. Java-bode (in Dutch). Agence France-Presse. 12 June 1956. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  12. ^ "70 doden door aardbeving in Afghanistan". Provinciale Drentsche en Asser Courant (in Dutch). 16 June 1956. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  13. ^ "Nieuwe slachtoffers van aardbevingen in Afghanistan". Leeuwarder Courant (in Dutch). 19 June 1956. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  14. "Afghaanse koning ziek". Algemeen Handelsblad (in Dutch). 14 June 1956. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  15. "Tot nu toe 270 doden bij aardbeving in Afghanistan". De Tijd (in Dutch). 18 June 1956. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  16. "De aardbeving in Afghanistan". Het Nieuwsblad van het Zuiden (in Dutch). 18 June 1956. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  17. "Nederlandsche Roode Kruis helpt Afghanistan". Nieuwsblad van het Noorden (in Dutch). 16 June 1956. Retrieved 7 October 2023.

Further reading

  • Heuckroth, L. E., Karim, R. A., USAID/Afghanistan., & Kabul Research Foundation. (1970). Earthquake History, Seismicity, and Tectonics of the Regions of Afghanistan. Kabul: Kabul University, Faculty of Engineering, Seismological Center.
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† indicates earthquake resulting in at least 30 deaths
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