1866 Bingöl earthquake

The East Anatolian Fault; a 700-kilometre-long (430 mi) northeast–southwest left-lateral transform fault represents the boundary between the Anatolian and Arabian plates. The fault displays slip rates that decrease from the east at 10 mm (0.39 in) per year to the west, where it is 1–4 mm (0.039–0.157 in) per year. It was associated with large earthquakes in 1789 (M 7.2), 1795 (M 7.0), 1872 (M 7.2), 1874 (M 7.1), 1875 (M 6.7), 1893 (M 7.1), and 2020 (M_w 6.8). These earthquakes ruptured individual segments of the fault.[2] This intracontinental transform fault is the second largest strike-slip fault in Turkey.[3] The northeastern segment is known as the Karlıova Segment which has not produced a major earthquake since 1866. An adjacent segment to the southwest ruptured in 1971.[4]

The estimated surface-wave magnitude was 7.2 and a maximum MSK-64 intensity of IX (Destructive) was assigned to areas with heavy damage and surface rupture. Surface ruptures were observed in the Göynuk Valley. They extended south from Halipan village to Varto district in the north for an estimated 45 km (28 mi). The earthquake was associated with rupture along the northeastern East Anatolian Fault and occurred at the triple junction where it meets the North Anatolian Fault.[5] The entire 34 km (21 mi) of the Karlıova Segment and 10 km (6.2 mi) of the Ilıca Segment was associated with the earthquake. Surface offsets were estimated at 3.5 ± 0.1 m (11.48 ± 0.33 ft).[6]

The Russian consul in Erzurum documented the earthquake effects. He reported heavy damage along Göynuk Valley—extending from Çobantaşı in the southwest to Karlıova in the northeast. The French consul of Erzurum also visited the area; documenting heavy damage in the districts of Kiğı, Capakcur and areas further south.[5]

In the eastern part of Kiğı District, most villages were nearly flattened. At least 1,106 homes were destroyed and 470 people died in Kiğı District's Göynuk township. In Kurtyuzu township, 100 people died and 448 homes were razed. In Capakcur District, there were 20 deaths and 200 homes destroyed. At Hromek township, Varto District, 483 homes were ruined or badly damaged. At Asagi Varto, 90 people died and 136 homes were partly or totally destroyed. An unspecified number of Zazas also died in the Simsor area.[5]

Shaking was felt in Muş and Hınıs. At Erzurum, some chimneys fell and one house collapsed. Along the hillside, some homes were damaged. There was widespread panic across the town. Shaking was also felt hundreds of kilometers away in Erzincan, Ordu, and Diyarbakır. Minor damage and cracks in plaster walls were observed at Diyarbakır.[5]

• List of earthquakes in Turkey