Earthquake in Iran 26 December 2003, M6.7, 20,000 Fatalities

The final estimate, using the best available hypocenter is: 6,280-12,200 fatalities. The estimate in real time, 2 hours after the earthquake, was: 410-1010 fatalities. (At the time the magnitude was believed to be smaller, the depth greater and the location farther from Bam.)

Map of settlements affected by the earthquake. The size of the dot is proportional to the population, the color indicates the estimated average damage state (blue = light, green = moderate, yellow = medium, red = strong, brown = heavy, black = total collapse)

SATELLITE images of the Bam Earthquake

Once satellite images become available for areas hit by a disaster, the damage can be assessed directly by inspection. As an example we show here a satellite image of Bam, Iran, after the devastating earthquake of 26 December 2003. By clicking on the areas outlined in red, details of the devastation can be viewed. 

A New Method to Reduce Errors in Real-Time Loss Estimates
 We propose in an article in EOS that with favorable circumstances the source of energy release of an earthquake can be estimated by the InSAR technique with an accuracy of only 0.5 km instead of 15 km, as is common for teleseismic locations.  This can lead to a reduction of uncertainty in estimates of numbers of fatalities by two orders of magnitude.