East Anatolian earthquake of 24 November 1976

Abstract

A DESTRUCTIVE earthquake occurred north of Van in East Anatolia on 24 November 1976 at 12:22:18.3 GMT (USGS epicentre: 39.10°N and 44.02°E; average magnitude: M_s = 7.3). The earthquake did extensive damage, destroyed more than 80% of the dwellings in a 2,000 km² area and caused more than 4,000 deaths. In this area of complicated geology^1–3, this was the only known large earthquake in the last century according to seismicity catalogues^4–5 and the recollection of villagers. The fault trace and the displacement were clearly visible and could be mapped for the total length of the fault. Furthermore, any precursory phenomena that might have preceded the earthquake as perceived by the local residents along the whole fault could be investigated. We summarise here the results of extensive field investigations carried out during the first 10 days immediately following the earthquake, and again in July 1977.