Tash-Shahrud Earthquake of 11 July 1890, Mw.7.2

Tash-Shahrud Earthquake of 11 July 1890, Mw.7.2

A destructive earthquake at dawn ruined a large area in the sparsely populated regions of Kuh-i Shangi and Shahvar between Astarabad (Gurgan) and Shahrud. In the village of Tash only one house was left standing and 140 out of its 200 inhabitants were killed. Shahkuh-i Bala and Pa’in, Mujin and other settlements as far as Purdilu in the Aliabad district were destroyed with casualties. Damage extended over a large area as far as Astarabad, Shahrud, Surmeh and Kalateh. In Astarabad almost all the houses were damaged to the extent that they were evacuated, and in Kalateh and Shahrud many houses were ruined. Landslides blocked mountain passes, particularly at Shahkuh, and east of Tash rock masses were shattered. Hundreds of people and many flocks of sheep perished. The shock was felt over a large area, mainly to the northwest, as far as Baku. It was also felt at Duzlyolum to the northeast but not beyond Damavand and Mayamay. The shock caused waves in the Caspian Sea that were reported from all along its southern shores between Anzali and Ashur Ada. Aftershocks continued for at least five months.