Approximately 1,655 killed, 3,000 injured, 2,000,000 homeless, and $550 million damage in southern Chile; tsunami caused 61 deaths, $75 million damage in Hawaii; 138 deaths and $50 million damage in Japan; 32 dead and missing in the Philippines; and $500,000 damage to the west coast of the United States.
How much damage was caused in the Chile 1960 earthquake?
The costs of the damage were estimated to have been between $400 and $800 million in 1960 dollars, which would be about $3 to $6 billion today, adjusted for inflation. Earthquake damage at Valdivia: Photograph of buildings in Valdivia, Chile damaged by the earthquake.
How many people died in Chile earthquake 1960?
It shook along the coast of Chile at the time. An earthquake and a subsequent tsunami in Chile (1960 dollars) killed more than 2,000 people as well as caused property damage amounting to $550 million. During the waves in Hawaii and Japan, 116 and 61 people, respectively, died.
What country was affected by the Chile 1960 earthquake?
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.
What was the total time of the 1960 Chile earthquake?
What was the total time of the 1960 Chile earthquake? The Great Chilean earthquake occurred at 15:11 on 22nd May 1960. It lasted for 11 to 13 minutes and affected all of Chile between Talca and Chiloé Island, an area more than 400,000 square kilometers. The towns of Valdivia and Puerto Montt suffered the maximum damage.
Did the 1960 Chile earthquake cause a tsunami?
Both the 1960 Chile earthquake and the 1700 Cascadia earthquake were caused by sudden ruptures of long segments of subduction zones. Each of these quakes generated a tsunami that not only struck nearby coastal areas but also caused damage in coastal areas as far away as Japan.
How long did the Chile earthquake last in 1960?
10 minutesWhen The Biggest Earthquake Ever Recorded Hit Chile, It Rocked The World In 1960, all of Chile shook violently for more than 10 minutes. That quake along the western coast of South America was so big, it changed the way people see the world.
What were the effects of the Chile earthquake?
The quake and tsunami caused more than $30 billion in damages, damaging or destroying 370,000 houses, 4013 schools, and 79 hospitals. More than 500 people were crushed, drowned, or burned to death by fires. Posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) are often reported after earthquakes.
How much energy did the 1960 Chile earthquake release?
The seismic energy released by the 1960 Chile quake was equal to about 20,000 Hiroshima atomic bombs. Thousands were killed. It also triggered a tsumami that traveled 17,000 km across the Pacific Ocean and killed hundreds in Japan.
Has there ever been a 10.0 earthquake?
No, earthquakes of magnitude 10 or larger cannot happen. The magnitude of an earthquake is related to the length of the fault on which it occurs. That is, the longer the fault, the larger the earthquake.
Do dogs bark before earthquake?
Owners reported increased neediness, barking, and howling in their dogs, and some dogs who were so restless they even escaped. In 60% of the reports, these odd dog behaviors occurred in the seconds and minutes leading up to the quake. Watch this video of a yellow lab panicking just seconds before a quake.
How did the 1960 Chile earthquake affect the environment?
This natural phenomenal-The earthquake in Chile had transformed the land and some of the land was forever changed by the enormous energy that was being released from below. It caused huge lands slides that were so big that they even changed the course of rivers.
Where was the world's largest earthquake?
On May 22, 1960 a great Mw 9.5 earthquake, the largest earthquake ever instrumentally recorded, occurred off the coast of southern Chile. 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.
What was the largest earthquake?
The biggest earthquake ever recorded, of magnitude 9.5, happened in 1960 in Chile, at a subduction zone where the Pacific plate dives under the South American plate.
Has there ever been a 9.5 earthquake?
On May 22, 1960, the most powerful earthquake in recorded history—magnitude 9.5—struck southern Chile. The rupture zone stretched from estimates ranging from 500 kilometers (311 miles) to almost 1,000 kilometers (621 miles) along the country's coast.
What would a 10.0 earthquake do?
A magnitude 10 quake would likely cause ground motions for up to an hour, with tsunami hitting while the shaking was still going on, according to the research. Tsunami would continue for several days, causing damage to several Pacific Rim nations.
What is the strongest possible earthquake?
According to the USGS, earthquakes of magnitude 10 or larger cannot happen. The largest earthquake ever recorded was a magnitude 9.5.
Has Chile recovered from the 1960 earthquake?
Several coastal towns were inundated by a 25-metre (80-foot) tsunami. The combined effects of the disaster left two million people homeless. Though the death toll in Chile was never fully resolved, early estimates of deaths worldwide, ranging into the thousands, were scaled back to 1,655.
What happened after the 1960 Chile earthquake?
The Valdivia earthquake left two million people homeless, injured at least 3,000, and killed approximately 1,655. The economic damage totaled $550 million (more than $4.8 billion, adjusted for 2020 inflation). The Valdivia earthquake triggered a massive tsunami that raced across the Pacific.
What is the longest time an earthquake has lasted?
32 YearsA devastating earthquake that rocked the Indonesian island of Sumatra in 1861 was long thought to be a sudden rupture on a previously quiescent fault.
How long does an earthquake usually last?
about 10 to 30 secondsHow long do earthquakes last? Generally, only seconds. Strong ground shaking during a moderate to large earthquake typically lasts about 10 to 30 seconds. Readjustments in the earth cause more earthquakes (aftershocks) that can occur intermittently for weeks or months.
How much damage was caused by the Chile earthquake of 1960?
The cities of Puerto Montt and Valdivia experienced extensive damage. Several coastal towns were inundated by a 25-metre (80-foot) tsunami. The com...
What caused the Chile earthquake of 1960?
The Nazca plate is a large tectonic plate that underlies the Pacific Ocean near the western coast of South America. It is subducting under (that is...
How was the tsunami generated?
At the bottom of the Eastern Pacific Ocean, the Nazca plate is being forced under the South American plate. On May 22, 1960, the stress built up by...
How does the Chile earthquake of 1960 compare with other recent earthquakes?
With a magnitude of 9.5, the earthquake was the most powerful such event of the 20th century. Other recent earthquakes have caused more damage and...
What was the largest earthquake in the world in 1960?
The magnitude 9.5 Chilean earthquake in 1960 was the largest earthquake ever instrumentally recorded. The series of earthquakes that followed ravaged southern Chile and produced one of the longest ruptures ever reported. Sinking of the ground due to the earthquake, known as subsidence, produced local flooding in Chile.
What was the earthquake in 1960?
On This Day: 1960 Chilean Earthquake and Tsunami. Nearing the height of the Cold War, Argomedo initially mistook the rumblings as the beginning of a nuclear war. But that shaking was actually the beginning of a magnitude 9.5 earthquake, the largest ever measured José Argomedo, a farmer living outside Maullín, Chile, ...
How much damage did the tsunami do to Hawaii?
The damage from the earthquake and tsunami totalled more than $550 million U.S. dollars. In Hawaii, the tsunami created over $23.5 million U.S. dollars in damage and the U.S. West Coast suffered an additional $1 million in damages.
How many people died in the Chilean tsunami?
In the Chilean areas of Maullín, Quenuir, and La Pasada alone, at least 122 people lost their lives in the ensuing tsunami. The number of deaths in Chile associated with both of these catastrophic events is uncertain but has been estimated between 490 to 5,700.
What was the magnitude of the earthquake in the Cold War?
But that shaking was actually the beginning of a magnitude 9.5 earthquake, the largest ever measured.
What caused the flooding in Chile?
Sinking of the ground due to the earthquake, known as subsidence, produced local flooding in Chile. This permanently altered the shorelines of much of the area in Chile impacted by the earthquake, rendering all marine navigational charts of the affected areas obsolete.
Where were the tsunamis?
Waves were observed throughout the Pacific Ocean basin. Damages were also reported in Tahiti (French Polynesia), New Zealand, American Samoa, Alaska (USA), and Kamchatka (Russia). Additionally, tide gauges recorded waves in the Atlantic Ocean, as well as the Indian Ocean, making it the first globally recorded tsunami.
What was the magnitude of the earthquake in Chile in 1960?
Vocabulary. On May 22, 1960, the most powerful earthquake in recorded history— magnitude 9.5 —struck southern Chile. The rupture zone stretched from estimates ranging from 500 kilometers (311 miles) to almost 1,000 kilometers (621 miles) along the country’s coast. The event was named after the city most affected by the quake, Valdivia.
How many people were killed in the Valdivia earthquake?
The Valdivia earthquake left two million people homeless, injured at least 3,000, and killed approximately 1,655. The economic damage totaled $550 million (more than $4.8 billion, adjusted for 2020 inflation).
Where did the 1960 earthquakes occur?
Abridged from United States Earthquakes, 1960. NOAA Slide Set. Severe damage from shaking occurred in the Valdivia-Puerto Montt area. Most of the casualties and much of the damage was because of large tsunamis which caused damage along the coast of Chile from Lebu to Puerto Aisen and in many areas of the Pacific Ocean.
How many people died in the Honshu earthquake?
Waves as high as 5.5 m (18 ft) struck northern Honshu about 1 day after the quake, where it destroyed more than 1600 homes and left 185 people dead or missing. Another 32 people were dead or missing in the Philippines after the tsunami hit those islands.
What was the magnitude of the Puyehue eruption?
On May 24, Volcan Puyehue erupted, sending ash and steam as high as 6,000 m. The eruption continued for several weeks. This quake was preceded by 4 foreshocks bigger than magnitude 7.0, including a magnitude 7.9 on May 21 that caused severe damage in the Concepcion area.
How long is the rupture zone of the earthquake?
This is the largest earthquake of the 20th Century. The rupture zone is estimated to be about 1000 km long, from Lebu to Puerto Aisen. Note that the tsunami deaths from outside Chile are included in the 1,655 total. This is still considerably fewer than some estimates which were as high as 5,700.
How many people died in the tsunami?
Approximately 1,655 killed, 3,000 injured, 2,000,000 homeless, and $550 million damage in southern Chile; tsunami caused 61 deaths, $75 million damage in Hawaii; 138 deaths and $50 million damage in Japan; 32 dead and missing in the Philippines; and $500,000 damage to the west coast of the United States.
How high was the wave in Puerto Saavedra?
Puerto Saavedra was completely destroyed by waves which reached heights of 11.5 m (38 ft) and carried remains of houses inland as much as 3 km (2 mi). Wave heights of 8 m (26 ft) caused much damage at Corral. Tsunamis caused 61 deaths and severe damage in Hawaii, mostly at Hilo, where the runup height reached 10.6 m (35 ft).
What caused the 1960 earthquake in Chile?
The Chile earthquake of 1960 was caused by the release of mechanical stress due to the subduction of the Nazca Plate under the South American Plate along the Chile-Peru Trench, which has been the cause of many other earthquakes too. Diagram of Nazca Plate subducting beneath the South American plate.
What were the three earthquakes that hit Chile in 1960?
Before the Great Chilean earthquake, three earthquakes struck Chile which were a fore-shock to the main event and are known as the 1960 Concepción earthquakes. The first Concepción earthquake struck at 06:02 on 21st May 1960. It had a magnitude of 8.1, lasted for 35 seconds and destroyed a third of the buildings in the city of Concepción in Chile. The second earthquake happened the following day at 06:32 and had a magnitude of 6.8, while the third was sized 7.9 and happened at 14:55 on 22nd May, just 15 minutes before the Valdivia earthquake.
What is the name of the earthquake that occurred in subduction zones?
Earthquakes occurring at subduction zones are known as megathrust earthquakes and nine of the ten most powerful earthquakes in the twentieth century were megathrust, including the 1960 Chile earthquake. Diagram explaining Subduction which is responsible for Megathrust earthquakes.
What was the earthquake in 1960?
10 Facts About The Great Chilean Earthquake of 1960. The 1960 Valdivia earthquake struck Chile on the afternoon of 22nd May 1960, causing widespread damage with Valdivia being the most affected city. Also known as the Great Chilean earthquake, it was a 9.5 MW earthquake making it the most powerful ever recorded till date.
How many people were left homeless in the 1960 tsunami?
Waves as high as 10.7 meters (35 ft) were recorded 10,000 kilometers from the epicenter, and as far away as Japan and the Philippines. 2 million people were left homeless due to the destruction caused by the 1960 Valdivia earthquake and the resultant landslides and tsunamis.
How many people were left homeless in the 1960 Valdivia earthquake?
Waves as high as 10.7 meters (35 ft) were recorded 10,000 kilometers from the epicenter, and as far away as Japan and the Philippines. 2 million people were left homeless due to the destruction caused by the 1960 Valdivia earthquake and the resultant landslides and tsunamis.
What was the magnitude of the second earthquake in Chile?
The second earthquake happened the following day at 06:32 and had a magnitude of 6.8, while the third was sized 7.9 and happened at 14:55 on 22nd May, just 15 minutes before the Valdivia earthquake. Map of Chile.
What were the earthquakes in 1960?
The 1960 Chilean earthquakes were a sequence of strong earthquakes that affected Chile between 21 May and 6 June 1960, centered in the Araucanía, Aysén, and Bío Bío regions of the country. The first three quakes, all registering in the planet's top 10 by magnitude for 1960, are grouped together as the 1960 Concepción earthquakes. The first of these was the 8.1 M w Concepción earthquake at 06:02 UTC-4 on 21 May 1960. Its epicenter was near Curanilahue. Telecommunications to southern Chile were cut off and President Jorge Alessandri cancelled the traditional ceremony of the Battle of Iquique memorial holiday to oversee the emergency assistance efforts. The second and third Concepción earthquakes occurred the next day at 06:32 UTC-4 (7.1 M w) and 14:55 UTC-4 (7.8 M w) on 22 May. These earthquakes formed a southward migrating foreshock sequence to the main Valdivia shock, which occurred just 15 minutes after the third event.
Where was the tsunami in Chile?
The resulting tsunamis affected southern Chile, Hawaii, Japan, the Philippines, eastern New Zealand, southeast Australia, and the Aleutian Islands . The epicenter of this megathrust earthquake was near Lumaco, approximately 570 kilometres (350 mi) south of Santiago, with Valdivia being the most affected city.
What was the most powerful earthquake in history?
The 1960 Valdivia earthquake (Spanish: Terremoto de Valdivia) or the Great Chilean earthquake ( Gran terremoto de Chile) on 22 May 1960 was the most powerful earthquake ever recorded. Various studies have placed it at 9.4–9.6 on the moment magnitude scale.
What ships were wrecked in the earthquake?
In the Valdivia River and Corral Bay, several vessels were wrecked by the earthquake, among them Argentina, Canelos, Carlos Haverbeck, Melita, and the salvaged remnants of Penco.
How far back did the Canelos ship sink?
One ship, Canelos, starting at the mouth of the Valdivia River, sank after being moved 1.5 km (0.93 mi) backward and forward in the river; as of 2005, its mast was still visible from the road to Niebla. A number of fortifications from the Spanish colonial period were completely destroyed.
What happened on June 6th?
One of the main aftershocks occurred on 6 June in Aysén Region. This earthquake probably occurred along the Liquiñe-Ofqui Fault, meaning in this case that the fault would have moved as a consequence of the 22 May Valdivia earthquake.
What were the effects of the Valdivian Fort System?
The Valdivian Fort System from the Spanish colonial period were completely destroyed. Soil subsidence also destroyed buildings, deepened local rivers, and created wetlands in such places as the Río Cruces and Chorocomayo, a new aquatic park north of the city. Extensive areas of the city were flooded. The electricity and water systems of Valdivia were totally destroyed. Witnesses reported underground water flowing up through the soil. Despite the heavy rains of 21 May, the city was without a water supply. The river turned brown with sediment from landslides and was full of floating debris, including entire houses. The lack of potable water became a serious problem in one of Chile's rainiest regions.
Record-Breaking Catastrophe
The Cost of Disaster
- The damage from the earthquake and tsunami totalled more than $550 million U.S. dollarsThe economic impacts of natural disasters can be devastating to countries affected by earthquakes and tsunamis. The Chilean government estimated that nearly two million people became homeless and over 58,000 houses were completely destroyed. The damage from the e...
The Future of Tsunami Preparedness
- The global extent of this tsunami led to the creation of the Pacific Tsunami Warning and Mitigation System(link is external) in 1965. Today, the U.S. Tsunami Warning Systemincludes the National Tsunami Warning Center and Pacific Tsunami Warning Center that forecast wave heights and arrival times of tsunamis as they cross the ocean. An effective tsunami warning system reli…