The earthquake struck at 12:30 am local time in Gilan and Zanjan provinces, an area of steep terrain and dense village settlement built largely of adobe and rubble masonry. Rudbar, Manjil and Lushan were effectively destroyed.
Landslides in the mountainous terrain buried roads and entire hamlets, and about 500,000 people were left homeless. Iran's response drew on international assistance and led to substantial revision of the national building code.
Why this event still matters
Historical incidents shape the rules that protect people today — building codes, evacuation policy, warning systems and inspection regimes almost always trace back to a specific disaster. Studying Manjil–Rudbar Earthquake alongside current events is how preparedness improves.
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