Earthquake seismic focus of the March 4, 1977 21:22:22 pm magnitude 7.2 Mw

 earthquake epicenter, historical layer / disappeared object

1977 earthquake (earthquake of '77) was an earthquake that occurred at 21:22:22 on March 4, 1977, with devastating effects on Romania. It had a magnitude of 7.2 on the Richter scale and a duration of about 56 seconds (55 according to other sources) 1,570 (1,578 according to other sources) victims, of which 1,391 (1,424 according to other sources) only in Bucharest. Throughout the country were 11,300 injured and 35,000 homes collapsed. Most of the material damages were concentrated in Bucharest where over 33 buildings and big blocks collapsed. Held in the Andreiasu DOWN (45.77 degrees north, 26.76 degrees east longitude).

The earthquake also affected Bulgaria. In the town of Svishtov, three apartment buildings were destroyed and over 100 people died
The quake's epicenter was located in Vrancea most active seismic area in the country, at a depth of about 100 km. The shock wave was felt in almost all Balkan.

replies
Although the earthquake was very strong (shock wave feeling almost all Balkan), his replies were small magnitude on the Richter scale. Thus, the most powerful response occurred on March 5 at 02:00 at a depth of 109 km. This reply was magnitude 4.9 on the Richter scale, followed by other aftershocks of magnitude between 4.3 and 4.5 on the Richter scale.
Effects

The quake was felt in almost all Southeast Europe and in the north, was felt to Moscow and St. Petersburg. In northeastern Wallachia, southern Moldova, the earthquake caused strong effects on soil, including cracks and soil liquefaction phenomena. Prahova Valley landslide occurred.
Intensity earthquake intensity in different parts of Romania epicentral location Distance Focal Length
V Brasov 91 143
VI Vrâncioaia 2110
VI-VII Craiova, Galati 288 112 308 157

The official reaction
On the evening of March 4, President Nicolae Ceausescu, together with his consort, attended the official banquet offered by the President of Nigeria in honor rating. After the toast Nigerian head of state, a Romanian secretary entered the room and informed him of the situation in the country Ceausescu. Responding calmly to host speech, Romanian President was seated and announced it particularly disaster occurred in Romania. I banquet was ended a few minutes later.

At first, the news arrived surreptitiously were confusing, talking about an earthquake in Grade 10, so the total destruction of Bucharest. Blackout in Bucharest made impossible any communication. In addition, local authorities were confusing time not taking on any concrete measure. After reconnecting with the land, Ceausescu called a summary report of the situation in the country and gave the first order of action, with an appeal to the population. It was established by presidential decree a state of emergency throughout Romania.

During the night, an aircraft of the Romanian delegation brought back to the country. During the days that followed, Nicolae Ceausescu, sometimes accompanied by Elena, made visits Bucharest to assess the damage and to calm the population. A given firm orders to continue rescuing victims even over the period considered the limit of survival.

With the aid of the Red Cross (especially dogs specifically for such cases), stunts and Romanian firefighters have made superhuman efforts to save as many lives.
Reactions citizens hit by earthquake

Many people panicked, mostly out into the street. Here Nemigean Bucharest Mircea soldier testimony:
"I sentinel on the roof of an important military objective; ie, above the seventh floor. The night was bright enough to be seen, I could see far and wide. Only once I felt like the roof underfoot. I started well but in a round about and eyes only to see what happens. But I could not believe my eyes. As I could see, all the blocks were staggering. And all buildings leaning to one side as trees and other storm. The first wave was vertically. Fractions of a second seemed to stop, but then resumed horizontally. The sky suddenly cracked, as if it was about to break in two. I heard distant thunderclaps, then a muffled noise, which seemed to come from everywhere; could be heard louder. Then came a strong wind of was to get flings down. It went, but then turned back and this time with the stench of burning. And p-orm all the lights went out ... the sky was a huge arc of fire and how to short circuit around the city ... and then I said, 'Okay, I think it's about the city! »."

Although the authorities' reaction was weak in the early hours, many people helped their own initiative to clearing rubble and rescue victims. Subsequently presidential call was passed to increase primary food production, to provide the necessary population, restore utility networks (water, gas, phone, electricity). Many have worked long hours without rest, covering more exchanges. They were sent aid to the affected areas throughout the country.
Architectural monuments after the earthquake missing

The quake affected and architectural monuments. The regime used the pretext of the earthquake to demolish a series of buildings that, for one reason or another, were "uncomfortable" for him. Thus the Church Enei on the left block "Danube" in the right Ion Mincu Institute of Architecture and vis-à-vis the Intercontinental Hotel and National Theater was demolished simply because her presence "disturbing". In the demolition of the building "Danube", the steeple was hit with demolition equipment. From that moment began a race where, on the one hand cultured people (architects, artists, etc.) trying to stop the demolition, on the other hand Army (directly involved in the action of removing the traces of the earthquake) He was struggling to make disappear as soon as this monument and place of worship. Unfortunately, the monument was not saved, and with him disappearing murals made by George Tattarescu, like the previous ones its frescoes of great artistic value.

Also, the former headquarters of the Union of Artists (House architect Gregory Cerchez) on Sevastopol Street fell victim to the same action.

Once turned on, the action of removing as many architectural monuments and places of worship was extended to collections and art collectors. Under the pretext of "making safe" works of art, private collections and memorial houses were stripped of artworks owned by the them, defending the idea which was completed later the Museum Collections. Memorial House Museum is where George Tattarescu of the artwork were taken and stored "safely". After much pressure made by Georgeta Wertheimer, niece of the painter, the works were returned to the memorial house.
victims

Among the victims of the earthquake there were some personalities:
A. E. Baconski
Doina Badea
Alexander Bocăneţ
Savin Bratu
Thomas Caragiu
Daniela Caurea
Florin Ciorascu
Dumitrescu Tudor
Michael Gafita
Despina Ghinokastra Istrati
Alexandru Ivasiuc
Filofteia Lăcătuşu
Mihaela Mărăcineanu
Corina Nicolescu
Michael Petroveanu
Eliza Petrăchescu
Liviu Popa
Corneliu M. Popescu
Veronica Porumbacu
John Şiadbei
Tudor Stavru
Nicholas Vătămanu
Viorica Vizante