List of earthquakes in Azerbaijan facts for kids
This page lists some of the most important earthquakes that have happened in Azerbaijan. Earthquakes are sudden shakes of the Earth's surface. They can be very powerful and cause a lot of damage. Azerbaijan is a country where earthquakes happen because of how the Earth's plates move beneath it. Learning about past earthquakes helps us understand how to stay safe in the future.
Contents
Major Earthquakes in Azerbaijan's History
Ancient Shakes
The Ganja Earthquake of 427
One of the earliest recorded earthquakes in Azerbaijan happened in the city of Ganja in the year 427. We don't have many details about it, but we know it caused a lot of damage. It was a strong earthquake, estimated to be about 6.7 magnitude.
The Qivraq Earthquake of 906
Another early earthquake struck near Qivraq in 906. This one had a magnitude of 6.2.
Devastating Earthquakes in the Middle Ages
The Great Ganja Earthquake of 1139
On September 30, 1139, a truly massive earthquake hit Ganja. It was one of the deadliest earthquakes ever recorded! Between 200,000 and 300,000 people sadly lost their lives. The earthquake was incredibly powerful, with a magnitude of 7.7. It completely destroyed the city of Ganja. The strong shaking also caused huge landslides in the nearby mountains.
The Shamakhi Earthquake of 1667
On November 25, 1667, the city of Şamaxı was hit by a very strong earthquake. About 80,000 people died in this disaster. The earthquake had a magnitude of 6.9. What was unusual about this event was that the ground kept shaking for three months! All kinds of buildings were ruined, and roads were so badly damaged that travelers had to find new routes for their caravans.
The Shamakhi Earthquake of 1669
Just a couple of years later, on January 4, 1669, Şamaxı was hit again. This earthquake was a bit smaller, with a magnitude of 5.7, but it still caused about 7,000 deaths.
Earthquakes in the 19th and 20th Centuries
Shamakhi Earthquakes in the 1800s
Şamaxı experienced more earthquakes in the 1800s. On August 9, 1828, a 5.7 magnitude quake struck. Later, on June 11, 1859, another earthquake with a magnitude of 5.9 hit the city, leading to about 100 deaths.
The Baku Earthquake of 1842
On January 2, 1842, an earthquake affected Baku and Mashtagi. It was estimated to be between 4.3 and 5.0 magnitude. People felt the shaking very strongly, but thankfully, there are no detailed reports of damage or deaths from this event.
The Shamakhi Earthquake of 1902
The city of Şamaxı was struck by another major earthquake on February 13, 1902. This powerful quake had a magnitude of 6.9 and sadly caused about 2,000 deaths.
The Zangezur Earthquake of 1931
On April 27, 1931, a significant earthquake hit the Zangezur region. This earthquake had a magnitude of 6.4. The number of people who died ranged from 390 to 2,890.
Recent Earthquakes
The Baku Earthquake of 2000
On November 25, 2000, a strong earthquake with a magnitude of 6.8 shook Baku. This event resulted in 26 deaths.
Zaqatala Earthquakes
The Zaqatala Rayon region has experienced earthquakes in recent years.
- On May 7, 2012, a 5.6 magnitude earthquake injured 15 people and damaged many buildings, including a school sports hall. The shaking was also felt in nearby Russia and Georgia.
- On June 5, 2018, another earthquake, with a magnitude of 5.4, hit Zaqatala. Homes were damaged, and social services were disrupted. Sadly, one person died from a heart attack, and 31 others were injured.
See also
In Spanish: Anexo:Terremotos en Azerbaiyán para niños
- Geology of Azerbaijan
