The 1953 Paphos earthquake struck British Cyprus (present day Cyprus) on the morning of 10 September, at 06:05 EET. It had a magnitude of 6.5 on the surface-wave magnitude scale, and had a maximum intensity of X ("Extreme") on the Modified Mercalli intensity scale. The epicenter of this earthquake was situated off the island's west coast, near the city of Paphos. At least 40 people died and 100 were injured. It was also felt in Rhodes, Turkey, Egypt, Lebanon and Kastellorizo.
Geological setting.
Cyprus is wedged in a complex zone of interaction between the Anatolian (which part of the larger Eurasian plate) and African plate. These two plates are colliding along the Cyprus Arc, a plate boundary that runs south of the island. This subduction zone is offset by a small transform fault known as the Paphos Transform Fault. The plate boundary, coupled with the Dead Sea Transform and East Anatolian Fault accommodates motion of the African and Arabian plates. This has resulted in moderately destructive, mid-range earthquakes, including a magnitude 7.1–7.5 in 1222 which caused great devastation to the island and generated a tsunami.
Earthquake.
The mainshock was associated with shallow normal faulting. Seismologists Nicholas Ambraseys and Robin Adams derived instrumental and macroseismic information to reveal two similarly sized mainshocks. These earthquakes were separated in time by eight seconds with epicenters apart. Their surface-wave magnitudes were 6.0 and 6.1, respectively. Global earthquake catalogs have only listed one mainshock, reliably recorded by 198 stations.
Damage and aftermath.
Forty people were killed and 100 injured, mainly due to collapses as bodies were being pulled from the rubble. Another 4,000 were made homeless in the 158 towns and villages that were affected. The earthquake also triggered landslides which further damaged communities. Destruction in the towns of Stroumbi, Axylou, Kithasi, Lapithiou and Phasoula was complete. Shaking was accompanied by a small tsunami which waves were seen along the coast of Paphos without damage.
Rehabilitation and assistance were provided by the Government of the United Kingdom. On 13 September, tents and aid supplies were flown in by the Royal Air Force while the Royal Navy sailed through the Suez Canal to help contribute to the recovery efforts. Blankets and clothing were supplied to those affected by the British Red Cross.