1976 Zalzab earthquake

1976 Zalzab earthquake

Destroyed buildings in Zalzab, September 17 1976
UTC time	1976-09-16 15:30:14
Local date	September 16, 1976 (1976-09-16)
Local time	14:30:14
Duration	29 seconds
Magnitude	6.6 Mw
Depth	10 km (6 mi)
Epicenter	Ait Sufyan, Salamat
Fault	Zalzab Fault
Areas affected	Northwestern Salamat, Far-eastern Yryel
Max. intensity	IX
Peak acceleration	0.78 g
Peak velocity	91.7 cm/s
Tsunami	No
Landslides	Yes
Aftershocks	1976 Abu Zeydan Earthquake
Casualties	6,204

The 1976 Zalzab Earthquake was a seismic event which affected the mountainous Zalzab region of Salamat. It occurred on September 16 1976 at 14 h 30 min 14 s local time (15 h 30 min 14 s UTC) and lasted for about 30 seconds. This earthquake was felt in Dar Al Hamma, 700 kilometers away from the epicenter and also affected the neighbouring country of Yryel, although to a much lesser extent due to the local geology. 6,204 died or disappeared during the earthquake, making it one of the deadliest of the country's history after the 1827 Hamma earthquake and the 1779 Zalzab earthquake. The earthquake occurred on the very active Zalzab fault, a fault which circles partially the city of the same name from the southwest, and which is the origin of at least 5 earthquakes with a magnitude superior to 3.0 Mw every year.

Damage and casualties

6,204 died in the earthquake and the region suffered heavy damages ; 60% of the city of Zalzab, located 27 kilometers northwest of the epicenter, was affected ; an estimated 530 000 lost their home, mostly in the small mountain villages, the most affected being the Ait Sufyan village located just 600 meters west of the earthquake, and of which only the mosque subsisted. A water filtration plant in Zalzab was destroyed ; 448 schools were at least affected by the damage, and 4 hospitals were affected too. Roads crossing the region were mostly damaged, most being victims of landslides and rocks falling. This affected aid and relief transportations, most notably for the surroundings of the city of Zalzab. The airport of Zalzab was completely destroyed and was never rebuilt again due to the lack of money and corruption in the local and regional government. An electric post in western Zalzab was also damaged.

Salamatis living abroad had a very difficult time trying to contact their relatives in the region, due to the destruction of three 20,000 switch offices in Zalzab and a 8,000 switch office was mildly affected. The railtracks of the region were mildly affected by rocks falling on the track, and the roof of the Zalzab train station collapsed at around 6:45 pm the same day. The Imoughrasan train station, only lightly affected and 11 kilometers southeast of Zalzab, was used as a stop to deliver aid.

Aftershocks

The region was affected by more aftershocks after the original earthquake (in bold in the list) :

Date and time (local)	Magnitude	Epicenter	Casualties
1976-09-16 14:30:14	6.6	27 km SW of Zalzab	6,204
1976-09-16 14:53:58	4.9	25 km NW of Zalzab	1
1976-09-16 15:51:13	5.2	20 km NW of Zalzab	26
1976-09-16 17:10:27	4.1	17 km W of Zalzab	3
1976-09-16 22:57:49	3.9	20 km SW of Zalzab
1976-09-17 00:23:04	4.7	16 km W of Zalzab	9
1976-09-17 06:51:25	4.0	33 km S of Zalzab	2
1976-09-17 12:07:51	3.2	18 km SW of Zalzab	1
1976-09-17 16:49:36	3.5	24 km SW of Zalzab
1976-09-18 10:25:19 (1976 Abu Zeydan Earthquake)	5.7	20 km SW of Zalzab	322
1976-09-18 10:29:16	4.2	23 km SW of Zalzab	17
1976-09-18 15:59:32	3.7	38 km SE of Zalzab	5
1976-09-19 02:39:00	4.0	23 km SW of Zalzab	1
1976-09-19 19:45:22	3.3	14 km W of Zalzab	1
1976-09-20 03:53:19	3.8	16 km W of Zalzab
1976-09-20 07:29:17	4.7	24 km SW of Zalzab	4
1976-09-20 23:56:04	4.0	19 km SW of Zalzab	1
1976-09-21 02:28:40	5.6	13 km W of Zalzab	62
1976-09-22 22:16:49	3.1	22 km SW of Zalzab
1976-09-23 10:15:24	3.6	18 km SW of Zalzab
1976-09-25 08:18:53	4.7	23 km SW of Zalzab	2
1976-09-25 21:05:50	3.3	21 km SW of Zalzab
1976-09-27 13:12:18	3.8	16 km W of Zalzab
1976-09-28 04:44:53	4.9	24 km SW of Zalzab	5
1976-09-29 13:47:12	5.4	19 km SW of Zalzab	15
1976-10-01 22:53:13	4.4	24 km SW of Zalzab
1976-10-03 04:17:27	3.9	27 km SW of Zalzab
1976-10-06 21:20:49	5.2	20 km SW of Zalzab	4
1976-10-15 16:52:56	4.4	28 km SW of Zalzab
1976-10-22 01:30:11	4.1	23 km SW of Zalzab	1
1976-10-27 14:28:16	3.4	19 km SW of Zalzab
1976-11-08 01:29:06	4.2	22 km SW of Zalzab
1976-11-19 09:02:51	4.5	25 km SW of Zalzab	1

Reactions

National

The lack of reaction by the government fueled a sentiment of anger among Zalzabi Berbers, which would be one of the causes of the Zalzab revolt. Only some soldiers and firefighters participated at the relief efforts, while Islamic charities and international aid was doing most of the work. No government official did express themselves about the earthquake nor visit the affected regions, which were the causes of an attempted arson of the Presidential House in Dar Djamail by Zalzabi Berbers living in Dar Al Hamma on September 22. Some protesters flew the flag of Galeteri for their support and action against the government of Salamat.

International

Galeteri

• Upon receiving the news of the earthquake, President Gilberto Costella expressed his condolences to the people of Salamat through a diplomatic note elaborated jointly with the Assembly of the Union. However, the demeanor changed when the inaction of the Salamati government was reported by Galet news outlets. The Council of Equals released another note, condemning the inaction of the Salamati government, denouncing what was called "gross incompetence in the face of tragedy, either intentionally or by ignorance". Additional notes chastising the Salamati leadership were released through the month by humanitarian organizations. The ambassador of Salamat to Regenza was called for explanations by Ministry of Foreign Affairs, but denied any inaction by the government.
• On September 21, the Council of Representatives debated a proposal of issuing individual sanctions to officials of the Salamati government in the form of asset freezing in Galet banks. Majid Khummam was included as a target of the possible sanctions. The proposal passed the lower house but was eventually rejected in the Transnational Council on September 25.
• On September 19, the Assembly of the Union approved the sending of approximately 528 volunteered rescue workers to the affected regions along with humanitarian aid on behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Kakland

• In wake of the recent earthquake in Salamat, then President of Kakland Nuare Landsau pledged ten million in funds to help the cities and towns affected by the earthquake.
• Independent journalists on scene had reported inaction by the government to help the affected regions, which later lead the Kakish government to retract the promised funds.
• After the Abu Zeydan earthquake on September 19th, mere days after the Zalbab earthquake, Kakland rescinded their previous threat of removal of funds and sent in peace keeping forces to the affected regions.

Speke

• The Spekean government sent 12 millions ACU in funds to the Salamati government. They also sent 15 tons of medicine (painkillers, antibiotics, insulins from "Sowa Laboratories") and 18 tons of food and water. Two reporters for Speke News were sent in the Zalzab region on September 17 and were seen helping civilians.

Amilagro

• Amilagran Prime Minister announces 7 million ACU to be handed to the Salamati government, and calls the earthquake "a great tragedy for not just Salamat".
• Following Kakish discovery of "government unresponsiveness and failure" as described by the Prime Minister, the aid would be withdrawn.
• Amilagran government hands the promised 7 million over to the Amilagran Red Cross instead, which sends 738 of their volunteers to the affected areas.
• ARC hands out food, water, and builds temporary shelter.