1894 Istanbul Earthquake

The epicenter of the 10 July 1894 Earthquake was not actually Istanbul. Its association with Istanbul stems from the city’s status as the capital and its high population density. To evaluate the earthquake’s consequences, Dimitrios Eginitis, director of the Athens Observatory, was invited.

According to Eginitis’s report, unusually high sea temperatures were detected prior to the earthquake. Changes in animal behavior were also observed before the event. The earthquake, consisting of a total of three shocks, lasted approximately 18 seconds.

(Destructive impact of the earthquake source: Avlaremoz)

Areas Affected by the Earthquake

Aftershocks continued for approximately 1 moon. The main areas affected in Istanbul were Sur İçi, Üsküdar, Büyükçekmece, and Kartal like. According to the 12-point Medvedev-Sponheuer-Karnik (MSK) scale, the earthquake had a magnitude of 8.

The number of fatalities was approximately 150. In addition to the Grand Bazaar, many public and official building damage structures were damaged. After the earthquake, state provided for the public’s needs for shelter and food. The state established the İane-i Musabin Commission to solicit financial assistance from wealthy citizens. Citizens who contributed above a certain amount were rewarded with medal. Among the repaired sites after the earthquake were waterways, mosques, schools, and hospitals.^【1】

The earthquake’s impact resonated globally. Kings and queens of countries such as England, Spain, and Netherlands expressed condolences, and these gestures were widely reported in the press place. Moreover, the earthquake was reflected in Literature as two epic and one poem.