page_title: 2003 Bam earthquake
section_title: Aftermath
hierarchical_section_title: 2003 Bam earthquake / Aftermath
caption_attribution_description: English: Tehran Skyline with Milad tower seen in the background, taken in May 2007.
context_page_description: The 2003 Bam earthquake struck the Kerman province of southeastern Iran at 01:56 UTC on December 26. The shock had a moment magnitude of 6.6 and a maximum Mercalli intensity of IX. The earthquake was particularly destructive in Bam, with the death toll amounting to at least 26,271 people and injuring up to 30,000. The effects of the earthquake were exacerbated by the use of mud brick as the standard construction medium; many of the area's structures did not comply with earthquake regulations set in 1989.
  Following the earthquake the U.S. offered direct humanitarian assistance to Iran and in return the state promised to comply with an agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency which supports greater monitoring of its nuclear interests. In total a reported 44 countries sent in personnel to assist in relief operations and 60 countries offered assistance.
  Following the earthquake, the Iranian government seriously considered moving the capital of Tehran in fear of an earthquake occurring there. The earthquake had a psychological impact on many of the victims for years afterwards.
context_section_description: After the earthquake, the Iranian government considered moving the state capital from Tehran to another location for fear of a crippling event similar to what had just befallen Bam. Tehran lies on a major fault which scientists have predicted may suffer from a devastating earthquake similar to that of Bam in the near future. The most cited example for the new capital was Isfahan, a city in central Iran that had previously served as capital until it was moved to Tehran in 1788.
  The year 2003 was later declared to be the deadliest earthquake year globally since 1990, primarily due to the Bam earthquake which contributed almost 75% of the Earth's earthquake fatalities for that year.
caption: The Iranian government considered moving the capital of Tehran after the earthquake in response to scientific predictions
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