1138 Aleppo earthquake facts for kids

The Aleppo earthquake of 1138 was a very strong earthquake that happened near the city of Aleppo in northern Syria. It struck on October 11, 1138. Some historical records say it was one of the deadliest earthquakes ever, with a huge number of people killed. However, this large number might include deaths from other earthquakes that happened around the same time in different places.

What Was the Aleppo Earthquake?

The Aleppo earthquake was a major natural disaster in the year 1138. It caused a lot of damage and loss of life in and around the city of Aleppo. Earthquakes happen when the Earth's crust moves suddenly. This one was especially powerful.

Where is Aleppo?

Aleppo is a very old city located in northern Syria. For many centuries, it has been an important center for trade and culture. Because of its history, it had many old buildings and structures that were vulnerable to a strong earthquake.

How Many People Were Affected?

The United States Geological Survey (USGS), which studies earthquakes, lists the 1138 Aleppo earthquake as one of the deadliest in history. They mention a number as high as 230,000 people killed. However, historians believe this number might be a bit confusing. It seems to combine the deaths from the 1138 Aleppo earthquake with other earthquakes. These other quakes happened in November 1137 in a place called the Jazira plain and on September 30, 1139, in Ganja, Azerbaijan.

A historian named Ibn Taghribirdi was the first to write about this very large number of deaths. He did this much later, in the 1400s. So, while the Aleppo earthquake was certainly devastating, the exact number of people who died from just this one event is still debated by experts.

Why Do Earthquakes Happen Here?

The area where Aleppo is located, known as the Near East, is a place where several large pieces of the Earth's crust, called tectonic plates, meet. Specifically, the Arabian, Eurasian, and African plates all come together here. When these giant plates slowly move and grind against each other, they can build up a lot of pressure. When this pressure is released suddenly, it causes an earthquake. This is why the region experiences many earthquakes, as well as volcanic activity and mountain building.

The Near East is where three big Earth plates meet: the Arabian, Eurasian, and African plates. This is why there are so many earthquakes and volcanoes in this area.

Images for kids

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  A street in the Christian Quarter of Aleppo.

See also

In Spanish: Terremoto de Alepo de 1138 para niños