Farsinaj Earthquake

Date: December 13, 1957 • Location: Srmast, Iran, Islamic Republic of

A 6.5 magnitude earthquake struck the Iranian Hamadan province, killing at least 1,130 people.

An earthquake struck Hamadan province, Iran on 13 December 1957 at 05:15. The moment magnitude 6.8 earthquake struck at a depth of 15 km (9.3 mi). The epicenter of the earthquake was located in the seismically active Zagros Mountains. The mountain range was also the location for several historic earthquakes. The earthquake occurred near two segments of the active strike-slip Main Recent Fault. At least 1,130 people died, including over 700 in the village of Farsinaj. Additional deaths also occurred in Dehasiyab, Sarab, and other villages. The earthquake left an estimated 15,000 homeless; poor weather conditions including a winter storm on 21 December killed another 20 people. Several deadly and damaging aftershocks in that month killed a total of 38 people.