6.9-magnitude earthquake that struck Erzincan in eastern Turkey on March 13, 1992
A magnitude 6.6–6.7 earthquake devastated Erzincan, eastern Turkey, killing up to 950 people and causing up to $1.5 billion in damage.
Key Facts
- Moment magnitude
- 6.6–6.7 (Mw)
- Death toll
- 498–950 people
- Injured
- ~2,800 people
- Buildings collapsed
- Over 200
- Buildings damaged
- Over 15,000
- Financial losses
- $500 million – $1.5 billion
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
The earthquake originated on the North Anatolian Fault, a major tectonic boundary in Turkey that has historically produced multiple magnitude 8+ events. The fault's continued seismic activity made the Erzincan region highly vulnerable, compounded by widespread disregard for building codes that left structures ill-equipped to withstand strong ground motion.
On 13 March 1992 at 20:18 local time, a magnitude 6.6–6.7 earthquake struck near Erzincan in eastern Turkey, reaching a maximum Modified Mercalli intensity of IX (Violent). Horizontal peak ground acceleration hit 0.5 g, and a significant Ms 5.8 aftershock struck Pülümür two days later. Over 200 buildings collapsed and more than 15,000 were damaged.
Between 498 and 950 people were killed and roughly 2,800 were injured. Financial losses ranged from $500 million to $1.5 billion. Erzincan suffered severe devastation due to its proximity to the epicenter, though broader infrastructure largely remained intact. The event highlighted systemic failures in local building code enforcement, making it the second major destructive earthquake to strike the city in half a century.
Human Cost
Each dot represents approximately 10,000 deaths. Total estimated: 498 (earthquake)
Range: 498 – 950