The largest earthquake in the world occurred on May 22, 1960, in Chile. Earthquakes are common in this area as the western coast of South America lies on a fault between the South American Plate and the Nazca Plate for the most part. 1960 Great Chilean Earthquake (Valdivia Earthquake) USGS: Note: for quakes of 2012 and earlier, our database often contains only records from USGS. The effects of this earthquake were observed up to 1000 km away from the coast of the chile country. 1,6599 People killed SANTAGO – The 1960 Valdivia earthquake struck Chile on the afternoon of 22nd May 1960, causing widespread damage with Valdivia being the most affected city. Explore major (magnitude of 7.0 or higher) global earthquakes between 1950-2020 filtered from the United States Geological Survey (USGS) Earthquake Catalog. The 1960 Valdivia Earthquake – Left 2 Million People Homeless; Approx. (Click to view larger image.) Examine how the Chile earthquake of 1960 devastated and reduced the entire nation in shambles. He was a research editor with Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc. from 2008 to 2016 and worked on Britannica Blog from 2010... Homes in Valdivia, Chile, destroyed by the earthquake of 1960. With a magnitude of 9.5, the earthquake was the most powerful such event of the 20th century. The shock is generally agreed to have had a magnitude of 9.5, though some studies alternately proposed that it may have been 9.4 or 9.6. Also known as the Great Chilean earthquake, it was a 9.5 MW earthquake making it the most powerful ever recorded till date. Posted on April 29, 2017 by jboelsche31716. By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. 1960 valdivia earthquake, chile The 1960 Valdivia earthquake or Great Chilean Earthquake of 22 May 1960 was the most powerful earthquake ever recorded, rating 9.5 on the moment magnitude scale. This earthquake generated a tsunami that was destructive not only along the coast of Chile, but also across the Pacific in Hawaii, Japan, and the Philippines. Updates? It is subducting under (that is, being forced under) the South American plate. Earthquakes are common in this area as the western coast of South America lies on a fault between the South American Plate and the Nazca Plate for the most part. Date The magnitude 9.5 Chilean earthquake in 1960 was the largest earthquake ever instrumentally recorded. Sinking of the ground due to the earthquake, known … Theoretical basis of some empirical relations in seismology. The world’s most powerful earthquake – impressively titled Gran terremoto de Valdivia in Spanish – rocked Chile in May 1960. The series of earthquakes that followed ravaged southern Chile and produced one of the longest ruptures ever reported. Sustainability Policy |  Impact of this Earthquake. User reports for this quake. https://www.britannica.com/event/Chile-earthquake-of-1960, Michigan State University - The Great Chilean Earthquake of 1960, Castro, Chiloé Island after the Chile earthquake of 1960, tsunami damage in Hilo, Hawaii after the Chile earthquake of 1960. Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. On May 22, 1960, the stress built up by years of increasing compressional force between the rocks of one plate and another was released by fracturing rocks. the sudden shaking of Earth's crust caused by the release of energy along fault lines or from volcanic activity. When they reached the main Japanese island of Honshu 22 hours after their generation, the waves had subsided to about 18 feet (5.5 metres) and laid waste to over 1,600 homes and killed 138 people. If a media asset is downloadable, a download button appears in the corner of the media viewer. This case study will investigate the causes behind the seismic event, the geography of it and the secondary effects that resulted. Earthquake hit at 19:11:14 UTC approximately at 100miles (160 km) off the coast parallel to the city of ‘Valdivia… This is because the physical conditions in each place are different. These environmental hazards shape human activity regionally. The Rights Holder for media is the person or group credited. As the quake occurred just prior to a revolution in seismologic technology in the 1960s, these figures are based mainly on post hoc analysis. Many Chilean cities sustained significant damage, including Puerto Montt, where noticeable subsidence occurred, and Valdivia, where nearly half of the buildings were rendered uninhabitable. Though the death toll was never fully resolved, early estimates ranging into the thousands were scaled back to 1,655. The 1960 Valdivia earthquake (Spanish: Terremoto de Valdivia) or Great Chilean earthquake (Gran terremoto de Chile) of 22 May is the most powerful earthquake ever recorded. A series of foreshocks the previous day had warned of the incipient disaster; one, of magnitude 8.1, caused major destruction in Concepción. Privacy Notice |  This earthquake generated a tsunami that was destructive not only along the coast of Chile, but also across the Pacific in Hawaii, Japan, and the Philippines. The 1960 Valdivia earthquake struck Chile on the afternoon of 22nd May 1960, causing widespread damage with Valdivia being the most affected city. Richard Pallardy received a B.A. Reference: Kanamori, H., & Anderson, D. L. (1975). Homes in Valdivia, Chile, destroyed by the earthquake of 1960. Residents of Valdivia, Chile, inspect an enormous crack caused by the Great Chilean Earthquake on May 22, 1960. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). In addition to blocking roads, landslides caused by the quake dammed the Río San Pedro in the foothills of the Andes about 40 miles east of the city of Valdivia, Chile. Though the oblique angle by which the waves approached the Pacific coast of the United States mitigated their force, Crescent City, California, saw waves of up to 5.6 feet (1.7 metres), and boats and docks in Los Angeles, San Diego, and Long Beach were damaged. The environmental hazards you face depend on where you live. The movements of these plates can build mountains or cause volcanoes to erupt. 3,000 People injured; Approx. Originating off the coast of southern Chile, this huge temblor caused substantial damage and loss of life both in that country and—as a result of the tsunamis that it generated—in distant Pacific coastal areas. Earthquakes are more common in some parts of the world than others, because some places, like California, sit on top of the meeting point, or fault, of two plates. in English from Illinois State University in 2005. Washington, DC 20036, National Geographic Society is a 501 (c)(3) organization. Terms of Service |  The magnitude 9.5 Chilean earthquake in 1960 was the largest earthquake ever instrumentally recorded. Buildings damaged by earthquake and fire, Castro, Chiloé Island, after the Chile earthquake of May 22, 1960. On May 22, 1960, the most powerful earthquake in recorded history—magnitude 9.5—struck southern Chile. When those plates scrape against each other and cause an earthquake, the results can be deadly and devastating. (2002) 127,750; (2017) municipality, 166,080.…. You cannot download interactives. On May 22, 1960, the largest earthquake in recorded history—magnitude 9.5—struck southern Chile. Chile earthquake was originated off the coast of southern Chile on May 22, 1960 which caused substantial damages and loss of life both in that country. Map depicting the epicentre of the earthquake off the coast of Chile, May 22, 1960. On May 22nd 1960 at 7:11 pm, the most destructive earthquake in recorded history struck the surrounding area of Valdivia, Chile. large settlement with a high population density. Most recent quakes Top 20 quakes past 24 hrs Quakes in Chile. Later failure of this landslide dam unleashed a flood that covered parts of the city. This case study will investigate the causes behind the seismic event, the geography of it and the secondary effects that resulted. to change or modify something to fit with something else. The tsunami traveled across the Pacific Ocean in the hours after the earthquake; the waves killed 61 people in Hawaii, nearly 140 in Japan, and 32 in the Philippines.

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