Earthquake of Basle of 1356

This Earthquake is the historical seismological event most important of the Central Europe. It destroyed the town of Basle (Suisse) the October 18th 1356 and made many destruction on a vast area also extending in France and Germany. It was felt at a very long distance (Zurich, Constance and even until in Île-de-France). The maximum seismic intensity on the scale MSK was IX-X. The macroseismic chart was in particular established on the basis of damage deferred by the castles of the area (30 to 40 castles). Starting from these macroseismic data the magnitude MW of the seism was estimated around 6,2. The city undergoes a second shock, very violent, in the middle of the night. The city inside the ramparts was destroyed by a fire. The seismic crisis lasted during one year. The number of deaths is estimated at 300 people, only in the town of Basle.

The modeling of the macroseismic data. On the other hand, the last studies of Paléosismologie rather allot the cause of this seism to a normal Faille directed in the south of the city. The important magnitude of this event makes even think of a possible prolongation of this fault under the city.

This earthquake is also known under the name of Séisme of the Luc Saint.

Sources

Random links: