Earthquake occurred on 18 February, 1911 in the central Pamir Mountains in the Rushon District of eastern Tajikistan
The earthquake triggered a landslide that formed the Usoi Dam, the tallest dam in the world, and created Sarez Lake.
Key Facts
- Date & Time
- 18 February 1911, 18:41 UTC
- Magnitude
- 7.4 Ms (surface-wave magnitude scale)
- Max Felt Intensity
- IX (Violent) on the Mercalli scale
- Death Toll
- ~100 people
- Notable Effect
- Created Usoi Dam, tallest dam in the world
- Lake Formed
- Sarez Lake, blocked by landslide on Murghab River
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
A major seismic event of magnitude 7.4 struck the central Pamir Mountains in the Rushon District of eastern Tajikistan on 18 February 1911. The region, then part of the Russian Empire, was subject to intense tectonic activity along the complex fault systems of the Pamir range, setting the stage for catastrophic ground movement.
The earthquake struck at 18:41 UTC, producing a maximum felt intensity of IX (Violent) on the Mercalli scale. It triggered a massive landslide that descended into the Murghab River valley, destroying many buildings across the affected area and killing approximately 100 people.
The landslide completely blocked the Murghab River, forming the Usoi Dam—the tallest dam in the world—and impounding the river to create Sarez Lake. This natural dam remains a significant geological feature and a subject of ongoing concern due to the potential hazard posed by the large volume of water it retains.
Human Cost
Each dot represents approximately 10,000 deaths. Total estimated: 100 (earthquake)