2002 Bou'in-Zahra earthquake
| UTC time | 2002-06-22 02:58:21 |
|---|---|
| ISC event | 3187856 |
| USGS-ANSS | ComCat |
| Local date | 22 June 2002 |
| Local time | 7:28 a.m. IST |
| Duration | 7 seconds |
| Magnitude | Mwc 6.5 |
| Depth | 10 km (6.2 mi) |
| Epicenter | 35°37′N 49°02′E / 35.62°N 49.04°E |
| Type | Thrust |
| Areas affected | Iran |
| Max. intensity | MMI VIII (Severe) |
| Landslides | 59 |
| Aftershocks | more than 20 |
| Casualties | at least 261 dead, 1,500 injured, and 50,000 homeless |
The 2002 Bou'in-Zahra earthquake (also known as the 2002 Avaj earthquake or the 2002 Changureh earthquake) occurred on 22 June 2002. The epicenter was near the city of Bou'in-Zahra in Qazvin province, a region of northwestern Iran which is crossed by several major faults that is known for destructive earthquakes. The shock measured 6.5 on the Mwc scale, had a maximum Mercalli intensity of VIII (Severe), and was followed by more than 20 aftershocks. At least 261 people were killed and 1,500 more were injured.
According to the International Institute of Earthquake Engineering and Seismology (IIEES), the earthquake was felt as far away as the capital city of Tehran, approximately 290 kilometres (180 mi) east of the epicenter, although no damage was reported there. Most houses in the region were single-story masonry buildings, and virtually all of these collapsed. The public became angry due to the slow official response to victims who needed supplies. Residents of the town of Avaj resorted to throwing stones at the car of a government minister.