1872 CE Amik Quake

AD 1872 Apr 3 Amik Golu

This was a relatively large earthquake in southeastern Anatolia.

It occurred at 7 h 40 m and affected the lower reaches of the Orontes where the river empties into the Mediterranean.

The shock almost totally ruined Antioch (Antakya) as well as its port Suaidiya and was felt throughout the Eastern Mediterranean, from Rhodes to Diyarbakir and from Konya to Gaza. News of the earthquake, initially grossly exaggerated, was carried by the Ottoman and European press, and concentrated solely on the effects of the earthquake on the large towns of Antakya and Aleppo and some of the seaports of Lebanon.

At Antioch (Antakya), which had a population of 17600, the shocks lasted for 50 seconds. Of the 3000 houses in the town, 1960 were totally destroyed and 894 so damaged as to become uninhabitable, leaving only 149 in good condition [2], including the European consulates, except that of Spain [4], which collapsed.

The church and hospice of the Capucins were also ruined [1, 5]. The Greek church, which had been completed shortly before the earthquake as well as the Armenian and Protestant [3] churches and premises [12] were shattered and in part collapsed, killing four members of the Christian community. In all, four mosques, three churches and one convent [6] were destroyed, and the American mission was damaged. However, the minarets of the town, although they were damaged, were left standing [17]. The grotto of St Peter, about 1 km from Antioch, was not damaged [5], but the church of Saints Peter and Paul was damaged beyond repair, which is known from a firman (order) granting permission to rebuild the church [19].

The arches above the East Gate and the North Gate of St Paul (Bab Bulus) were thrown down, and part of the old citadel walls crumbled [8].

The fortified bridge of Antioch was cracked in several places, and its parapet wall was shaken off [5].

In the outskirts all manor houses, including that of the Scotsman Yates, were shattered [3].

There were a further 1331 constructions, i.e. shops, mosques, churches and factories, of which there remained undamaged only 349 shops, a mosque and a soap factory; thus, of the 4334 buildings of all kinds, only 500 were left inhabitable.

In contrast with the lower part of the town, the upper part suffered less severely.

In Antioch the earthquake killed 500 (or 1000– 1600) people and injured 400–800 [3–5]. This relatively small number of fatalities was due to the fact that between the first shock and the later episode of strong shaking many people had managed to run out of their houses into the open and also because most of the houses did not collapse completely. Many survivors fled to Aleppo. In Quseir 35 houses were destroyed [1]. The earthquake was apparently stronger to the northwest of Antioch [17]. Thirty-eight villages, which are not named, located between Suaidiya and Beilan, were totally destroyed.

In Suaidiya 2150–2425 houses, 12 shops, 5 mosques and 19 mills were destroyed, and 140–180 people were killed or seriously injured. The earthquake also killed about 2000 domestic animals. The British Evangelical mission was damaged. In the district of Suaidiya another 349 people were killed [4–6]. The nearby villages of Kabusi, Jedida and Laushiya were razed to the ground, with loss of life.

Further inland around Lake Amik, and in particular to the west of the lake[5], damage was equally heavy. The Orontes bridge (Jisr al-Hadid), a twelfth-century, 120-m-long structure with four arches, was damaged and two of its bridge-head towers were thrown down [5, 14].

Qilliq was totally ruined, with the loss of 300 lives, and neighbouring villages suffered similar losses.

There was also some damage, without loss of life, to the north and south of Qilliq, particularly in the region of Harim and Armenaz, but details are lacking. Qaramut and its district were completely destroyed; there were 170 dead and 187 wounded. In addition to shops and public buildings, 1402 houses were razed to the ground. In the town itself 584 houses collapsed, killing 37 people and injuring 21 [4].

Damage extended to Azaz, Basut, Zirbeh and Idlib. In Aleppo it is said that the shocks lasted for 72 seconds. About 100, or, according to others, 808, houses were badly damaged or collapsed, killing 34–73 and injuring 34 people. Part of the citadel wall collapsed and water sloshed out of cisterns. Most of the people left the town. The lack of more serious damage in the town was attributed to the solidity of the stone-masonry houses, rather than to the feebleness of the shock [4, 9].

Further away, along the Mediterranean coast the shock was violent at Arsuz, Latakia and Alexandretta (Iskenderun), where there was also some damage [3]. Damage must have been far more serious than our sources of information, which originate from the larger urban centres, suggest. Many rural areas never reported their damage, and others did so many months after the earthquake.

Following the earthquake the Ansayri tribes descended from the mountains and plundered ruined villages, as a result of which the Ottomans marched a battalion of infantry to Antioch. This action of the Ansayri tribes rendered communications between this town and the hinterland more difficult until the end of the year. Damage to the south of Afsiyeh became known many months after the earthquake, as did damage to bridges and hans along the inland route to the south [3].

The shock was very strong at Adana, Shirat(?), Aintab, Birecik, Hama and Homs; in Tripoli (Trablus) and Saida it caused considerable concern and probably some damage. The earthquake was reported from Rhodes, Konya, Diyarbakir, Damascus, Ghazir and Beirut, where it lasted for 20 seconds; also, it was felt in every part of the districts of Karaman and Syria. The earthquake was not felt in Egypt, as alleged by modern writers, who, as with the 1822 earthquake, confuse Alexandria with Alexandretta (Iskenderun) [3–5, 15].

It is said that in the region of Qiliq the earthquake split the ground in places and yellow sand filled the area, a description suggesting widespread liquefaction [4]. Also, between Batrakan and Qaralu, the valley to the east of the hills is said to have dropped as a result of the earthquake, and the ground was rent all the way to Baghras, an allusion to faulting.

As a result of the earthquake the sea rose to a great height, flooding the coast in the vicinity of Jedida and Kabusi, with the flood wave reaching as far as Suaidiya, nearly 2 km inland [5].

The earthquake was felt throughout the Eastern Mediterranean, from Rhodes to Diyarbakir and from Konya to Gaza and Egypt.

Aftershocks continued to be felt, with decreasing severity, throughout April and May, but did not cease altogether until February 1873.

The earthquake had a considerable effect on the commerce in Antioch, which, temporarily, lost half of its silkworm industry and some of its European traders, who removed themselves to Aleppo [2].

After the earthquake the inhabitants were permitted to use the remains of the city walls to rebuild their homes. This removed the few remaining vestiges of the Byzantine and mediaeval city [16].

References

[1] AA Corr. Pol. Cons. Turquie (Alep) 5.
[2] AN Corr. Cons. (Beyrouth), (Alep) 26.
[3] FO PRO 78.2243 (Aleppo); 195.994 (Aleppo); 78.2243 (Beyrut); 195.994 (Beyrut).
[4] PBS 1872, 4, 6–5.1; and PEPB 1872, 05.22–29.
[5] PMSH 1872, 36, 216, 359, 434.
[6] Anonymous (1872) = PMSH.
[7] Dienner (1886).
[8] Elisseeff (1967, 198).
[9] al-Ghazzi (iii. 402).
[10] Lemmens (1898).
[11] Lutfi (1991, 16).
[12] Moyse (1883).
[13] Rockwood (1872, 4; 1873, 260).
[14] Naval Intelligence Division (1943).
[15] Plassard and Kogoj (1968b).
[16] EI (Antakiya).
[17] Seiff (1875, 326–327, 331–333, 340).
[18] Schmidt (1879).
[19] Matar (1987, 43).

References

Ambraseys, N. (2009). Earthquakes in the Mediterranean and Middle East: a multidisciplinary study of seismicity up to 1900. Cambridge, UK, Cambridge University Press.

〈171〉 1872 April 3

Intensities

• Harem: VIII
• Armanaz: VIII
• Buhyret Al-Amq: VII-VIII
• Antioch: VII-VIII
• Aleppo: VII
• Suaidiya: VII
• Izaz: VI-VII
• Idleb: VI-VII
• Iskenderun: VI-VII
• Hama: IV
• Homs: IV
• Tripoli: IV
• Damascus: III
• Beirut: III
• Sidon: III
• Diyar Bakr: III
• Egypt: III
• Rhodos: III (figs. 18 and 19).

Environmental Effects

• Faulting at Baghras
• Liquefaction
• tsunami
• aftershocks

Parametric catalogues

• Ambraseys (1989): 1872 April3, 07:40 (LT), 36.4N-36.5E, M_S= 7.2, I₀ (MSK) = X.


• Ambraseys and Barazangi (1989): 1872 April 3, 36.4N, 36.5E, M_S= 7.2


• Plassard and Kogoj (1981): In Lebanon I = IV, at 07 h 50 min an earthquake caused destruction in Antioch and Swedieh, it was felt in Beirut and Tripoli (Fuchs, 1886). In April 28, an earthquake was felt in Sidon, Beirut and Antioch (Diaire des Pères Jésuites de Saida; Journaux Contemporains des Événments).


• Poirier and Taher (1980): 1872 April 2, Antioch was destroyed at 30%, 500-1800 victims


• Ben-Menahem (1979): 1872 April 2, 07 h 45 min, 36.2N, 36.2E, near Samandag, I₀ = X-XI, M_L= 7.3, destruction of Antioch. Felt in Palestine and Egypt. Strong aftershocks on April 10 and May 15 (Amiran; Ergin et al.; Karnik; Plassard and Kogoj; Sieberg).

Seismological compilations

Ambraseys (1989): 1872 April 3, a large earthquake occurred at 7:40 a.m., affecting the reaches of the Orontes where the river empties into the Mediterranean. The shock almost totally destroyed Antioch as well as its seaport of Suaidiya. At Antioch, the shock lasted 40 s, killing 500 people and injuring an equal number. 1960 houses of 3003 were totally destroyed and 894 so damaged. There were a further 1331 other buildings, i.e. shops, mosques, churches, etc., of which there remained 349 shops, one mosque and one soap factory; thus, of the 4334 buildings of all kinds, only 500 were left standing. The Greek cathedral, completed before the earthquake, and the American Protestant church and premised collapsed, killing four members of the community. The East and North gates (of Bab Bulus) were thrown down and part of the citadel walls collapsed. The old Roman bridge of four arches was breached in several places and all manor houses, including that of the Scotsman Yate, were destroyed. By contrast with the lower part of the town, the upper part suffered less severely. Thirty-eight villages between Suaidiya and Beilan were totally destroyed. 2150 houses were destroyed in Suaidya, and more than 300 people killed or seriously injured. The nearby villages of Kabusi, Jedida and Laushiya were razed to the ground with loss of life. The sea rose after the earthquake, allegedly to a great height, flooding the coast. Qaramut and its district were completely destroyed. In the town itself there were 170 dead and 187 wounded; in addition to shops and public buildings, 3552 houses were razed to the ground. Heavy damage extended to east of Amik Glü. Qilliq was totally ruined with the loss of 300 lives, and neighboring villages suffered similarly. Here, it is said, the earthquake split the ground in places and yellow sand filled the area, a description suggesting widespread liquefaction. Also, between Batrakan and Quaralu, the valley to the east of hills is said to have dropped as a result of the earthquake and the ground was ‘rent’ all the way to Baghras, an allusion to faulting. Damage was very heavy and there was great loss of life to the north and south of Qilliq, particularly in the region of Harim and Armanaz, but details are lacking. In Aleppo, the shock lasted 72 s and caused great panic. About 100 houses were badly damaged or collapsed, killing 7 and injuring 3 people. Part of the citadel fell down. Damage extended to Izaz, Basut, Zirbeh and Idleb as well as to settlements along the Mediterranean coast such as Arsuz and Iskenderun. Damage to the south of Afsiyeh became known many months after the earthquake, as did damage to bridges and hans. The Orontes bridge at Jisr AlHadid was damaged and its defense towers were thrown down. The shock was very strongly felt at Adana, Aintab, Birecik, Hama, Homs and Tripoli. It was reported from Rhodes, Konya, Diyar Bakr, Beirut and Damascus. The earthquake was not felt in Egypt as alleged by modern writers. Aftershocks continued to be felt with decreasing severity throughout April and May, but did not cease altogether until 1873 February (Consular Archives; Press Reports).

Sieberg (1932): 1872, a destructive earthquake in Northern Syria, killing 1800 persons. 2/3 of Antioch and Swedieh were ruined and rebuilt again using stones of the ramparts of the city. Iskandarun and Aleppo felt by this event, but without damage. It was felt in Urfa, Diyar Bakir, many places in Mesopotamia, Damascus, Yafa, Egypt, Tripoli (of Libya), Rhodos and Smyrna. Aftershocks lasted till August, that were felt in Antioch, Aleppo and Smyrna.

References

Sbeinati, M. R., R. Darawcheh, and M. Monty (2005). "The historical earthquakes of Syria: An analysis of large and moderate earthquakes from 1365 B.C. to 1900 A.D.", Ann. Geophys. 48(3): 347-435.

Akyuz, H. S., et al. (2006). "Historical earthquake activity of the northern part of the Dead Sea Fault Zone, southern Turkey." Tectonophysics 426(3): 281-293.

Altunel, E., et al. (2009). "Archaeological sites (Tell and Road) offset by the Dead Sea Fault in the Amik Basin, Southern Turkey." Geophysical Journal International 179(3): 1313-1329..

Ambraseys, N. N. (1989). "Temporary seismic quiescence: SE Turkey." Geophysical Journal International 96(2): 311-331.

Ambraseys, N. N., Jackson, J.A. (1998). "Faulting associated with historical and recent earthquakes in the Eastern Mediterranean region." Geophysical Journal International 133(2): 390-406.

Carena, Sara,Friedrich, Anke, Verdecchia, Alessandro et al. Identification of Source Faults of Large Earthquakes in the Turkey-Syria Border Region Between AD 1000 and the Present, and their Relevance for the 2023 Mw 7.8 Pazarcık Earthquake. ESS Open Archive . November 08, 2023

Sesetyan, K.; Stucchi, M.; Castelli, V.; Gomez Capera, A.A. (16 February 2023). Kahramanmaraş - Gaziantep Türkiye M7.7 Earthquake, 6 February 2023 (04:17 GMT+03:00) Large historical earthquakes of the earthquake-affected region: a preliminary report (PDF) (Report). Kandilli Observatory and Earthquake Research Institute, Boğaziçi University.