Major earthquakes in Istanbul in the past

Since the North Anatolian Fault passes through the south of Istanbul, Istanbul is considered to be at high risk for earthquakes. According to historical records, there have been very large earthquakes in Istanbul in the past. So, which are the major earthquakes in Istanbul in the past, when did they occur? You are in the right place to learn about the major earthquakes that have occurred in the past in Istanbul.

The earthquakes that occurred in the past in Istanbul are listed from oldest to newest. You can go from the oldest known Istanbul earthquake to the most recent earthquakes below. Please note that the name of Istanbul was Constantinople from 337 to 1453, but after 1928 the official name of the city was Istanbul. That is why ancient earthquakes are called Constantinople.

Years of major earthquakes in Istanbul in the past: 120 (7.2), 342, 358, 402, 412, 417, 423, 437, 442, 447 (7.3), 450, 477, 487, 525, 533, 542, 546, 551 (7.8), 557 (7.0), 558 (7.0), 583, 611, 740 (7.3), 780, 790, 796, 860, 866, 869, 948, 989, 1010, 1032, 1033, 1034, 1042, 1053, 1064, 1202, 1231 (6.9), 1289, 1296, 1303, 1332 (6.8), 1343 (7.5), 1402, 1419, 1437, 1509 (7.7), 1894 (6.7), 1935 (6.4), 1963 ( 6.2), 1999 (7.6). We will now take a look at the most destructive earthquakes in Istanbul under the headings.

1. 447 Constantinople earthquake

The epicenter of the earthquake that occurred in 447 was Sultanahmet (41.008°N 28.978°E), with a magnitude of 7.3 and a maximum intensity of 9. The Constantinople earthquake that occurred in 447 is a major earthquake that affected the region. In particular, it caused serious damage to the Theodosian Walls, which were recently completed and added to the Constantinople Walls, and destroyed 57 towers and large fortifications. The exact date of the earthquake is not certain, but its year is 447. According to inconsistent records, the day of the earthquake could be January 26, November 6, November 8, or December 8. The earthquake occurred at night.

2. 557 Constantinople earthquake

The epicenter of the earthquake, which occurred on December 14, 557, was Balat (41.03°N 28.95°E), with a magnitude of 7.0 and a maximum intensity of 10. The Constantinople earthquake in 557 caused great damage to the city. Due to the earthquake, the city walls were severely damaged. The earthquake occurred at night.

3. 989 Constantinople earthquake

In 989, two major disasters occurred in the city of Constantinople. In the winter season, the Bosphorus is frozen. It was possible to walk on both sides of the strait, which was completely covered with ice. In the autumn of the same year, a great earthquake occurred and the city was destroyed. More than 40 churches, including Hagia Sophia, were destroyed in the earthquake.

4. 1010 Constantinople earthquake

With this earthquake, the island of Vordonisi, located off Dragos in Istanbul, was sunk into the sea due to the tsunami. The remains of the island are still visible from the air.

5. 1509 Constantinople earthquake

The epicenter of the earthquake, which occurred on September 10, 1509, is in the south of Adalar (40.75°N 29.00°E), with a magnitude of 7.7, with a maximum intensity recorded between 10-11. The Constantinople earthquake that occurred in 1509 caused great damage to the city. The earthquake left behind between 4,000 and 13 thousand dead, more than 10 thousand injured and more than a thousand collapsed buildings. The time of the earthquake was recorded as between 22:00 and 04:00. The earthquake was popularly called “The Little Apocalypse”.

6. 1556 Constantinople Earthquake

Great damage occurred in the city due to the 7.4 magnitude earthquake that occurred on the Middle Ridge North Fault on May 10, 1556. The earthquake took place with a very strong wind after the sun went down. The amount of damage described in the historical records shows that the magnitude of this earthquake was 8. The earthquake that took place in the Marmara Sea on May 10, 1556 is one of the largest Istanbul earthquakes in history. The epicenter of the earthquake was off the Islands, near the southern entrance of today’s Bosphorus. This earthquake, in which approximately 10,000 people lost their lives, is one of the most devastating natural disasters in history.

7. 1766 Istanbul earthquake

The magnitude of the earthquake that occurred on May 22, 1766, during the Ottoman Empire, was recorded as 7.1, its maximum intensity was 9, and its depth was 17 km. It is known that 4 thousand people died in the earthquake that lasted for 47 seconds. The earthquake happened in the morning. It caused the tsunami.

8. 1894 Istanbul earthquake

It occurred on July 10, 1894 in the Gulf of Izmit. The magnitude of the earthquake is 7.0 and its maximum intensity is 10. 1,349 people died in the earthquake that occurred at 12:24.

9. 1999 İzmit earthquake

The magnitude of the earthquake, the epicenter of which was the Gulf of Izmit, on 17 August 1999 was 7.6. Tens of thousands of people died in the destruction caused by the earthquake. Great damage occurred in Avcılar and Tuzla districts of Istanbul during the Izmit earthquake. After the earthquake, a 2.5-meter tsunami occurred.

10. 2019 Istanbul earthquake

On September 26, 2019, the epicenter of the earthquake off the coast of Silivri was measured between 5.7-5.8, maximum intensity 6 and depth 5.99 km. While there was no loss of life in the destruction caused by the earthquake, 1 person died of a heart attack due to panic, while 42 people were injured. Damage occurred in 473 buildings.