2000 Baku earthquake
Encyclopedia
The 2000 Baku earthquake occurred on Saturday, November 25, 2000 at 22:10 (18:10 GMT) local time, measuring 7.0 on the Richter scale in the epicentre with 6.3 in Baku
, Azerbaijan
, and three minutes later followed by a quake measuring 5.9. It was the strongest for almost 160 years, since 1842
in the Baku suburbs and in addition to the capital affected Sumgayit, Shamakhi
and neighboring cities. According to the United States Geological Survey
, the epicentre was in the Caspian Sea
, 25 km to the south south-east of Baku. The earthquake was felt as far away as e.g. Tbilisi
, 600 km north west of the epicentre, Makhachkala
(up to magnitude 4) and the Karabudakh and Isberbas settlements in Dagestan (up to 5). It is assumed that the earthquake was triggered by active tectonic motion on the border of two major sections of the earth crust – the Turansk plate and the Kopedag-Caucasian folded plate motion area. The earthquake zone gravitates towards Apsheron-Chelekensk deep crust break.
announced that more than 90 buildings and apartment blocks have been seriously damaged. Damage has been identified at the German church, the 15th century Shirvanshahs' Palace, the Opera and Ballet Theatre, the Taza Pir mosque, the Blue Mosque and the Wedding Palace. Despite of affecting northern-eastern coastline of Azerbaijan no damage has been reported to the offshore oil exploration infrastructure.
Many phone lines were down and the electricity was out in much of the city. Due to anxiety caused by possible fires the natural gas supply was reduced to 80%. Baku and Sumgait residents spent the rest of the night on the street. After the disaster seismologists have banned the construction of buildings with over nine floors.
On the same day the earthquake in Saratov
caused by tectonic changes in the Volga region after the Baku earthquake took place.
and WHO
, was established in order to consider opportunities to support the governmental efforts. The IFRC launched an emergency appeal for international assistance amounting to US$ 590,000.
Baku
Baku , sometimes spelled as Baki or Bakou, is the capital and largest city of Azerbaijan, as well as the largest city on the Caspian Sea and of the Caucasus region. It is located on the southern shore of the Absheron Peninsula, which projects into the Caspian Sea. The city consists of two principal...
, Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan , officially the Republic of Azerbaijan is the largest country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia. Located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe, it is bounded by the Caspian Sea to the east, Russia to the north, Georgia to the northwest, Armenia to the west, and Iran to...
, and three minutes later followed by a quake measuring 5.9. It was the strongest for almost 160 years, since 1842
1842 Baku earthquake
The 1842 Baku earthquake affected the Baku area with an estimated maximum intensity of VIII on the Mercalli intensity scale. The epicenter was located in the suburbs of Baku - Mashtaga and Nardaran....
in the Baku suburbs and in addition to the capital affected Sumgayit, Shamakhi
Shamakhi
Shamakhi or Shamakhy is a rayon of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and a town in the rayon. It is the historical center of the region of Shirvan.The town is west of Baku. It has more than 20,000 inhabitants, among them Azerbaijanis and Russians...
and neighboring cities. According to the United States Geological Survey
United States Geological Survey
The United States Geological Survey is a scientific agency of the United States government. The scientists of the USGS study the landscape of the United States, its natural resources, and the natural hazards that threaten it. The organization has four major science disciplines, concerning biology,...
, the epicentre was in the Caspian Sea
Caspian Sea
The Caspian Sea is the largest enclosed body of water on Earth by area, variously classed as the world's largest lake or a full-fledged sea. The sea has a surface area of and a volume of...
, 25 km to the south south-east of Baku. The earthquake was felt as far away as e.g. Tbilisi
Tbilisi
Tbilisi is the capital and the largest city of Georgia, lying on the banks of the Mt'k'vari River. The name is derived from an early Georgian form T'pilisi and it was officially known as Tiflis until 1936...
, 600 km north west of the epicentre, Makhachkala
Makhachkala
-Twin towns/sister cities:Makhachkala is twinned with: Sfax, Tunisia Siping, China Spokane, United States Vladikavkaz, Russia Yalova, Turkey Ndola, Zambia-See also:*...
(up to magnitude 4) and the Karabudakh and Isberbas settlements in Dagestan (up to 5). It is assumed that the earthquake was triggered by active tectonic motion on the border of two major sections of the earth crust – the Turansk plate and the Kopedag-Caucasian folded plate motion area. The earthquake zone gravitates towards Apsheron-Chelekensk deep crust break.
Aftermath
According to the Azeri government, 26 people died as a primary result, but only three people in collapsing buildings. A total of 412 people were either hospitalised or sought medical assistance. President Heydar AliyevHeydar Aliyev
Heydar Alirza oglu Aliyev , also spelled as Heidar Aliev, Geidar Aliev, Haydar Aliyev, Geydar Aliyev was the third President of Azerbaijan for the New Azerbaijan Party from June 1993 to October 2003, when his son Ilham Aliyev succeeded him.From 1969 till 1982, Aliyev was also the leader of Soviet...
announced that more than 90 buildings and apartment blocks have been seriously damaged. Damage has been identified at the German church, the 15th century Shirvanshahs' Palace, the Opera and Ballet Theatre, the Taza Pir mosque, the Blue Mosque and the Wedding Palace. Despite of affecting northern-eastern coastline of Azerbaijan no damage has been reported to the offshore oil exploration infrastructure.
Many phone lines were down and the electricity was out in much of the city. Due to anxiety caused by possible fires the natural gas supply was reduced to 80%. Baku and Sumgait residents spent the rest of the night on the street. After the disaster seismologists have banned the construction of buildings with over nine floors.
On the same day the earthquake in Saratov
Saratov
-Modern Saratov:The Saratov region is highly industrialized, due in part to the rich in natural and industrial resources of the area. The region is also one of the more important and largest cultural and scientific centres in Russia...
caused by tectonic changes in the Volga region after the Baku earthquake took place.
National effort
Following the presidential decree of November 28, 2000, the State Emergency Commission was provided with an amount of ca. US$ 5,5 million in order to deal with the consequences of the earthquake. The SEC dispatched assessment teams to the affected areas. In Baku, as of November 27, 19 families have been evacuated from three severely damaged houses. Schools have been temporarily closed.International response
The UN Disaster Management Team, composed of UNDP, UNHCR, UNICEF, UNFPAand WHO
Who
Who may refer to:* Who , an English-language pronoun* who , a Unix command* Who?, one of the Five Ws in journalism- Art and entertainment :* Who? , a 1958 novel by Algis Budrys...
, was established in order to consider opportunities to support the governmental efforts. The IFRC launched an emergency appeal for international assistance amounting to US$ 590,000.