Iran, Islamic Republic of

Bam

Regional

6.5 M_w

0.76989 g

The Bam earthquake in southeastern Iran occurred on 26 December 2003 (Ms=6.5) at 5:26:26am local time. The epicenter of the earthquake was at 29.01N-58.26E, southwest of the city. The focal mechanism of the earthquake was reported as strike slip and the focal depth was about 8 km. The Bam fault, in a nearly north-south direction, passes from the vicinity of Bam city (less than 1 km east of Bam) between the cities of Bam and Baravat.

International

> 100,000 km²

10,000 - 100,000

> 10,000

> 10,000

> 100 M USD

The earthquake was particularly destructive, with the death toll amounting to 26,271 people and injuring an additional 30,000. The damage distribution of structures in the affected region, and data recorded at Bam station, indicated the directivity effect of near-fault ground excitation.
Several essential facilities and industrial structures are located in the focal region and various types of industrial and special structures experienced the strong ground motion in the affected area. A significant number of industries are concentrated in the Bam Industrial Region, 1 km south of the city. There is a chemical plant belonging to the Roghan Jonoub Company next to the Bam Industrial Region that features six on-grade cylindrical and three elevated steel oil tanks.