1. The Beginning of the Seismic Activity

The pre-seismic activity was felt in Ankara in late June 1668 and intensified from July 20 onwards. On August 12 and 15 two major earthquakes hit Ankara and Beypazarı respectively. A very strong earthquake, one of the biggest that have ever happened in the North Anatolian Fault, followed two days later, on August 17, 1668.

2. Spread of the Earthquake and Destructions

The earthquake caused considerable damage to a large number of cities in northern Asia Minor, such as Tokat, Neokaisareia, Bolu, Merzifon, Erzincan, Amasya, Kastamonu, Prousa (Bursa), Ankara and Samsun (Amisos). Many villages and little towns were left in ruins.

2.1. Bolu and Kastamonu

Bolu was almost levelled suffering 1,800 casualties, including 60 merchants, some of them being Armenians and Catholics. Kastamonu lost many houses. Lots of people were killed and injured.

2.2. Tokat

Tokat was severely hit. The walls and some parts of the castle were largely destroyed. The mosque of the citadel was toppled. The people abandoned their houses for two weeks. Most of them stayed in vineyards, while others found shelter in cemeteries. Aftershocks continued for six months.

2.3. Amasya

Amasya was heavily damaged by the earthquake. Mosques, the walls of the city’s castle as well as parts of the market and houses were demolished inflicting heavy casualties on the population. Aftershocks continued for several days and the people had to live in tents and open areas.

2.4. Ankara

The earthquake was particularly big in Ankara. There were considerable changes in the morphology of the ground because of the earthquake. The people abandoned the city and left for the mountains, where they remained in tents for some weeks. Ankara, unlike the rest of the cities of northern Asia Minor, suffered minor damage.

The earthquake was also felt as far as Constantinople (Istanbul), Smyrna, Alexandria and the Aegean island of Skiathos.