1978 Tabas earthquake

1978 Tabas earthquake
View of Tabas following the quake
Tehran
UTC time1978-09-16 15:35:55
ISC event676813
USGS-ANSSComCat
Local dateSeptember 16, 1978 (1978-09-16)
Local time19:05:55 IRST
Magnitude7.4 Mw
Depth10 km (6.2 mi)
Epicenter33°13′N 57°29′E / 33.21°N 57.48°E / 33.21; 57.48
TypeThrust
Areas affectedIran
Total damage$11 million
Max. intensityMMI IX (Violent)
Peak acceleration0.8 g
Aftershocks~6,000 shocks recorded
1,560 located
5.0 mb Sept 17, 1978
5.3 mb Dec 6, 1978
5.1 mb Jan 17, 1979
5.2 mb Sept 5, 1979
5.9 mb Jan 12, 1980
Casualties15,000–25,000

The 1978 Tabas earthquake (Persian: زمین‌لرزه ۱۳۵۷ طبس) occurred on September 16 at 19:05:55 local time in central Iran. The shock measured 7.4 on the moment magnitude scale and had a maximum Mercalli intensity of IX+ (Violent). The death toll was in the range of 15,000–25,000, with severe damage occurring in the town of Tabas.