743 Caspian Gates earthquake
743 CE.
Shown on the map at 37.799°, 48.925°.
The 743 Caspian Gates earthquake reportedly took place in the year 743 or 744 in the Caspian Gates (Gates of Alexander). The location is identified with either Derbent, Russia or Tālesh, Iran. The earthquake is recorded in sources from the Byzantine Empire. The chronicler Theophanes the Confessor (8th century) dates the earthquake in the year 6235 of the Byzantine calendar, in the third regnal year of Constantine V (reigned 741–775). This translates to year 743 or 744 of the Anno Domini system. According to Theophanes' narrative, a sign appeared in the north at the time of the earthquake, and dust fell in various places. This narrative is repeated by George Kedrenos (12th century), who used Theophanes as his source. According to a 1982 seismic catalogue by Ambraseys and Melville, this earthquake occurred to the east of Ray, Iran, in the valley of Tang-e Sar-e Darreh. Its recording in Byzantine sources would testify to this being a "large magnitude event". However, the geographic term "Caspian Gates" was used for a number of mountain passes in the Caucasus.
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