a destructive shock in the Sahel region of Latakia on the Syrian littoral. He further reports that shaking lasted for a minute and that it was so severe in Latakia that
almost everything collapsed with the first shock.
| Text (with hotlink) | Original Language | Biographical Info | Religion | Date of Composition | Location Composed | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Text (with hotlink) | Original Language | Biographical Info | Religion | Date of Composition | Location Composed | Notes |
AD 1796 Apr 26 Latakia
This was a destructive shock in the Sahel region of
Latakia on the Syrian littoral.
The earthquake occurred on 18 Shawwal 1210
a.H. [1] at about 9h [2] without a foreshock and lasted,
with intermissions, for about a minute. In Latakia it was
so severe that almost everything collapsed with the first
shock. A traveller who had been there 22 months earlier
found the town barely recognisable. In the port area the
old fort at the entrance of the harbour [3] and the tobacco
stores of the customs house and the han [4], solidly built
structures, collapsed instantly, killing the aga, his officer,
400 other people and many animals [5]; out of a population of about 5000, 1500 [6] to 2000 [7] people were killed
and many injured. Altogether, one third of the houses
were destroyed and the remainder more or less ruined.
For three months the survivors camped in the open.
Damage was equally heavy in the town of Jeble,
where most of the houses were destroyed and the minaret
of the mosque of Ibrahim fell. Farmers lost their lives in
surrounding villages. The castles of Markab and Qadmus
suffered damage [8]. There was also loss of life in the
Bucak area north of Latakia and settlements along the
Nahr al-Kebir suffered in particular [9].
The shock was felt within the area demarcated by
Aleppo, Tripoli [10] and Saida [11].
It is said that as result of the earthquake the surface of the ground around Latakia rose [12], but this
may be an exaggeration. Some of the public buildings in
Latakia were rebuilt over the following decade [5].
References
[1] Nuri (Tarih,276).
[2] Olivier (1801, iii. 471–472).
[3] Morana (1799, 39).
[4] BBACM27741.
[5] AMAE CADN CCC, Turquie vol. 14 (Lattaquie), entry dated 28 August 1822.
[6] Olivier (1801, iii. 471–472).
[7] Guys (1822, 302).
[8] Nuri (Tarih, 276–277), cf. Vasif (Mehasin, iv. 134); and Cevdet Pasa (1953, vi.222).
[9] ANFAECorr.Pol., Turquie vol. d, 193–194.
[10] Diener (1886, 261).
[11] Browne (1799, 373).
[12] Olivier (1801, iii. 472).
Ambraseys, N. (2009). Earthquakes in the Mediterranean and Middle East: a multidisciplinary study of
seismicity up to 1900. Cambridge, UK, Cambridge University Press.
1796 April 26, Lattakiya
A destructive earthquake in the Sahel district of Lattakiya on the Syrian littoral. The shock occurred in the morning
and lasted for about 1 min, almost totally ruining the coastal
plain between Jeble and Bucak. Most of the houses
collapsed in Jeble, and water wells caved in and became dry.
Most of the miri villages - those belonging to the Ottoman
state - in the Nahr al-Kebir plain, an area about 40 km long
and 15 km wide, were ruined. In Lattakiya, 1500 out of a
population of 5000 were killed; one-third of the town
collapsed and the remainder was damaged. The old castle,
minarets, watchtowers and large buildings fell down. In the
port area the tobacco customs-house, one of the most
solidly-built structures, fell in and killed 400 people. It is
said that the shock raised the surface of the ground several
tokes, but this may be an exaggeration. The earthquake had
no effect on the sea, which remained calm, but it did cause
the temporary drying-up of streams NE of Lattakiya,
probably due to landslides. We do not know how far inland
the shock was felt, but we do know that it was strongly felt
at Saida, 230 km away to the south. Aftershocks continued
to be felt for two months, preventing people from returning
to their villages. Consular Archives; Olivier (1807); Cevdet
(130911893, vi.222).
Ambraseys, N. N. (1989). "Temporary seismic quiescence: SE Turkey." Geophysical Journal International 96(2): 311-331.
〈152〉 1796 April 26
Intensities
Ambraseys and Finkel (1995): 1796 April 26, this was a destructive shock in the Sahel region of Lattakia on the Syrian littoral (Ambraseys, 1989). The earthquake occurred on 18 Shawal 1210 A.H. (Nuri). At about 9 h (Olivier) without foreshocks and lasted with intermissions for about one minute. In Lattakia so violent that almost every thing collapsed with the first shock. The traveler Olivier, who had been there 22 months earlier, found the town barely recognizable. In the port area the old fort at the entrance of the harbor (Morana) and the tobacco stores of the customs house and the han (BBA), solidly-built structures, collapsed instantly killing the Aga, his officers, 400 people and many animals (AMAE CADN). 2000 (Guys) people were killed and many in jured. One-third of the houses was destroyed and the remainder more or less ruined. Damages were equally heavy in Jableh where most of the houses were destroyed and the minaret of the mosque of Ibrahim fell: farmers lost their lives in surround ing villages; the castles of Markab and Qadmus were completely ruined (Nuri). There was also loss of life in the Bucak area north of Lattakia and settlements along the Nahr Al-Kebir River suf fered in particular (ANF). The shock was felt between Aleppo and Tripoli and in Saida (Sidon) (Browne). It is said that as a result of the earth quake the surface of the ground around Lattakia rose (Olivier) but this may be an exaggeration.
Ambraseys (1989): 1796 April 26 morning, a destructive earthquake occurred in the Sahel dis trict of Lattakia. It lasted for about 1 min, almost totally ruining the coastal plain between Jableh and Bucak. Most of the houses collapsed in Jableh, and water wells caved in and became dry. Most of the miri villages in the Nahr Al-Kebir plain were ruined. In Lattakia, 1500 out of a population of 5000 were killed. One-third of Lattakia collapsed and the remainder was damaged. The old castle, minarets, watchtowers and large build ings fell down. In the port area, the tobacco customs-house fell in and killed 400 people. It is said that the shock raised the surface of the ground several toises. It was strongly felt at Saida. After shocks continued to be felt for two months (Consular Archives; Cevdet; Olivier, 1807).
Sieberg (1932): 1796 April 26 or May 5, a destructive earthquake was in Northern Syria. 1/3 of the houses in Lattakia was destroyed and there were 1500 victims. In 1796 June, many weak shocks were felt in Lattakia.
AMBRASEYS, N.N. and C. FINKEL (1995): The seismicity of Turkey and adjacent areas: a historical review (1500-1800),
Muhittin Salih EREN Publ., Istanbul.
Ambraseys, N. N. (1989). "Temporary seismic quiescence: SE Turkey." Geophysical Journal International 96(2): 311-331.
AMBRASEYS, N.N. and M. BARAZANGI (1989): The 1759
earthquake in the Bekaa Valley: implications for earth
quake hazard assessment in the Eastern Mediterranean
region, J. Geophys. Res., 94, 4007-4013.