The magnitude of the Valdivia earthquake was between 9.4 – 9.6 which makes it the most powerful earthquake ever recorded. 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. The quake left about 2 million people homeless. 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. The Nazca plate is a large tectonic plate that underlies the Pacific Ocean near the western coast of South America. The magnitude of the 1960 earthquake in Chile is roughly 1.3 times that of Haiti's 2010 earthquake. Most of the events described in this book were caused by a series of waves widely known as the "1960 Chilean tsunami." • January 1 - The temperature in Oodnadatta, South Australia, reached 50.7 °C (123.3 °F) in the shade, for what remains the highest temperature ever recorded in Australia. The force of the wave—caused by an earthquake on May 22, 1960, off the coast of Chile—was enough to bend parking meters to the ground. Theoretical basis of some empirical relations in seismology. If you have questions about how to cite anything on our website in your project or classroom presentation, please contact your teacher. …were severely damaged in the 1960 earthquake and by the ensuing tsunami. SANTAGO – The 1960 Valdivia earthquake struck Chile on the afternoon of 22nd May 1960, causing widespread damage with Valdivia being the most affected city. As the quake occurred just prior to a revolution in seismologic technology in the 1960s, these figures are based mainly on post hoc analysis. Sometimes seismic waves occur when the roof or walls of a mine collapse. On the 22nd of May, 1960, Chile experienced one of the largest earthquakes recorded to date. Chile's precarious location makes it a prime target for seismic activity, including the powerful 1960 earthquake, which was 10 times greater than today's. On May 22, 1960 a great Mw 9.5 earthquake, the largest earthquake ever instrumentally recorded, occurred off the coast of southern Chile. Homes in Valdivia, Chile, destroyed by the earthquake of 1960. If no button appears, you cannot download or save the media. © 1996 - 2021 National Geographic Society. observed earthquakes - among them, the greatest instrumen-tally recorded earthquake, the 1960 Mw 9.5 Valdivia event [Barrientos and Ward , 1990; Cifuentes, 1989] - and has recently ruptured again during the 2010 Mv 8.8 Maule earthquake and aftershock sequence [Delouis et al.,2010]. Southern Chile suffered $550 million USD in damage.The quake 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. Buildings damaged by earthquake and fire, Castro, Chiloé Island, after the Chile earthquake of May 22, 1960. Code of Ethics. If a media asset is downloadable, a download button appears in the corner of the media viewer. 1145 17th Street NW Building codes in California require builders to meet standards set to minimize structural damage in an earthquake and coastal cities have building code to reinforce roofs and walls to resist a storm’s high winds. Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. The force of the sudden movement along a roughly 560–620-mile (900–1,000-km) stretch of the Nazca plate pushed part of the leading edge of the South American plate upward. National Geographic Headquarters The earthquake that struck near Valdivia, Chile, in 1960 was the most powerful temblor in recorded history. 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. A sudden breaking in the rocks along a roughly 560–620-mile (900–1,000-km) stretch of the Nazca Plate caused the earthquake, which has been generally agreed to have had a magnitude of 9.5—the largest earthquake recorded in the 20th century. The surface of the Earth is made up of tectonic plates that lie beneath both the land and oceans of our planet. Corrections? Debris from buildings damaged by a nearly 35-foot (11-metre) tsunami, Hilo, Hawaii island, Hawaii. What is it  The Great Chilean earthquake was the biggest earthquake ever with a rating of 9.5 on the Richter magnitude scale.The place that was most affected wasValdivia.The earthquake occurred on 22 of may, 1960 when it hit.The resulting tsunamis and landslides affected Japan, Hawaii, Southern Chile, the Philippines, New Zealand, South East Australia, the Aleutian Islands eastern New … Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. The largest earthquake ever recorded by instruments struck southern Chile on May 22, 1960. intensity of an earthquake, represented by numbers on a scale. May 22, 2015 (The earthquake of 22-May-1960) A forlorn man sitting amongst the rubble in the city of Valdivia after the 9.5 quake in 1960. Scientists estimate that this earthquake shifted Earth's axis and shortened the length of a day by 1.26 microseconds. in English from Illinois State University in 2005. world's largest earthquake with an instrumentally documented magnitude occurred on May 22, 1960 near Valdivia, in southern Chile. Various studies have placed it at 9.4–9.6 on the moment magnitude scale. Examine how the Chile earthquake of 1960 devastated and reduced the entire nation in shambles. Though the death toll was never fully resolved, early estimates ranging into the thousands were scaled back to 1,655. 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 late May 1960, after a series of earthquakes followed by tsunamis, the Chilean government asked the American leadership for assistance including hospital, and medical aid. Humans and chimpanees share 96 percent of the same genome. The Valdivia earthquake left two million people homeless, injured at least 3,000, and killed. Felt Report - Tell Us! The combined effects of the disaster left two million people homeless. Approximately 1,655 people were killed during the largest earthquake ever recorded. 1960 Valdivia Earthquake: Home; Facts; ... Atala entered a warehouse in the town between the first and second waves of the 1960 Chilean tsunami. The audio, illustrations, photos, and videos are credited beneath the media asset, except for promotional images, which generally link to another page that contains the media credit. Several coastal towns were inundated by a 25-metre (80-foot) tsunami. Text on this page is printable and can be used according to our Terms of Service. They will best know the preferred format. You cannot download interactives. The active San Andreas fault runs through California and causes regular earthquakes, while the warm waters transported by the Gulf Stream can intensify a storm heading for South Carolina. With a magnitude of 9.5, the earthquake was the most powerful such event of the 20th century. Abridged from United States Earthquakes, 1960. For example, if you live in northern California you are more likely to be impacted by a wildfire, landslide, or earthquake than if you live in Charleston, South Carolina, but less likely to be hit by a hurricane. Learn more about environmental hazards with this curated resource collection. The Cordón-Caulle volcano erupting, Los Lagos, Chile, May 24, 1960. Chile earthquake of 1960, the largest earthquake recorded in the 20th century. The waves caused millions of dollars of damage at Hilo Bay on the main island of Hawaii, where they also killed 61 people. Chile earthquake of 1960. Also known as the Great Chilean earthquake, it was a 9.5 MW earthquake making it the most powerful ever recorded till date. Washington, DC 20036, National Geographic Society is a 501 (c)(3) organization. A series of foreshocks the previous day had warned of the incipient disaster; one, of magnitude 8.1, caused major destruction in Concepción. NOAA Slide Set; Severe damage from shaking occurred in the Valdivia-Puerto Montt area. In addition to a particularly high potential for large inter- The 1960 Chile earthquake was caused by the Nazca plate releasing tension and descending 15 meters underneath the South American Plate. About 3,000 people were injured. On May 22, 1960, the largest earthquake in recorded history—magnitude 9.5—struck southern Chile. You may not even feel them. 1960 Valdivia Chile Earthquake On May 22nd 1960 at 7:11 pm, the most destructive earthquake in recorded history struck the surrounding area of Valdivia, Chile. Case Study Boelsche – Valdivia Earthquake 1960. Many Chilean cities sustained significant damage, including Puerto Montt, where noticeable subsidence occurred, and Valdivia, where nearly half of the buildings were rendered uninhabitable. It is subducting under (that is, being forced under) the South American plate. Other recent earthquakes have caused more damage and loss of life, however. When you reach out to them, you will need the page title, URL, and the date you accessed the resource. 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. The tsunami killed 2223 people, most in Chile but also 139 in Japan, 61 in Hawaii, 21 in the Philippines, and 2 in California. These explosions may be set off to break rock while making tunnels for roads, railroads, subways, or mines. The movements of these plates can build mountains or cause volcanoes to erupt. The earthquake struck 160km’s off the coast of Southern Chile parallel to the city of Valdivia at 7:11pm. large settlement with a high population density. M 9.5 - 1960 Great Chilean Earthquake (Valdivia Earthquake) Kanamori, H., & Anderson, D. L. (1975). The Chile earthquake of 1960 remains the largest earthquake recorded to date. By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America, 65 (5), 1073-1095. The fault-displacement source of the earthquake extended over an estimated 560–620 mile (900–1,000 km) stretch of the Nazca Plate, which subducted under the South American Plate. This case study will investigate the causes behind the seismic event, the geography of it and the secondary effects that resulted. The earthquake hit at 3:11 pm approximately 100 miles (160 km) off the coast of Chile, parallel to the city of Valdivia. For information on user permissions, please read our Terms of Service. Richard Pallardy received a B.A. 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. (2002) 127,750; (2017) municipality, 166,080.…. Two days later the Cordón Caulle volcano in Chile’s Lake District erupted after nearly 40 years of inactivity, an event thought by some seismologists to be linked to the quake. This is because the physical conditions in each place are different. Summary 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. Also known as the Great Chilean earthquake, it was a 9.5 M W earthquake making it the most powerful ever recorded till date. All rights reserved. The 1960 Tsunami and the Earthquake in Chile That Caused It The 1960 Chilean tsunami radiated outward from a subduction zone along the coast of Chile. Newsreel describing the Chile earthquake of 1960. The magnitude 9.5 Chilean earthquake in 1960 was the largest earthquake ever instrumentally recorded. Originating off the coast of southern Chile on May 22, 1960, the 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. Privacy Notice |  It occurred in the early afternoon and its resulting tsunami affected southern Chile, Hawaii, Japan, the Philippines, eastern New Zealand, south east Australia and the Aleutian Islands in Alaska. This tsunami was generated by the 9.5 magnitude earthquake near Valdivia, Chile on May 22, 1960. On May 22, 1960, the most powerful earthquake in recorded history—magnitude 9.5—struck southern Chile. Originating off the coast of southern Chile on May 22, 1960, the 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. This is the largest earthquake ever recorded. Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. The clash of these plates can also cause violent earthquakes, where Earth’s surface shakes. the sudden shaking of Earth's crust caused by the release of energy along fault lines or from volcanic activity. ocean waves triggered by an earthquake, volcano, or other movement of the ocean floor. to change or modify something to fit with something else. Cleanup operations commencing in Hilo, Hawaii island, Hawaii, following the tsunami caused by the May 22, 1960, earthquake off the coast of Chile. Pop. At the bottom of the Eastern Pacific Ocean, the Nazca plate is being forced under the South American plate. 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. Learn more about earthquakes with this curated collection of classroom resources. The largest earthquake in the world occurred on May 22, 1960, in Chile. The world’s most powerful earthquake – impressively titled Gran terremoto de Valdivia in Spanish – rocked Chile in May 1960. These environmental hazards shape human activity regionally. Updates? Ring in the new year with a Britannica Membership, 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. It measured an unprecedented 9.5 on the moment magnitude scale (MMS), regarded by seismologists as the most accurate measure of energy released by a quake. The enormity of the seafloor shifts that caused the tsunamis was such that the waves that arrived nearly 15 hours later in the Hawaiian Islands—6,200 miles (10,000 km) away—still crested at nearly 35 feet (11 metres) at landfall in some places. It … Omissions? Map showing the extent of the tsunami generated by the Chile earthquake of 1960. This question has been the subject of intense debate ever since the plate tectonic theory was first eccepted by the geologic community in the late 1960's. Posted on April 29, 2017 by jboelsche31716. My reaserach focused on the nearest city to the epicenter; Valdivia, Chile (39.8º S Lat.,73.24º W Long. Huge earthquake hits Chile On May 21, 1960, the first tremor of a series hits Valdivia, Chile. edge of land along the sea or other large body of water. In the Philippines, tsunami waves left 32 dead or missing. Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. 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. The combined effects of the disaster left two million people homeless. Join our community of educators and receive the latest information on National Geographic's resources for you and your students. The 1960 Valdivia earthquake or Great Chilean Earthquake of 22 May, 1960 is the most powerful earthquake ever recorded, rating 9.5 on the moment magnitude scale. The tremor triggered a giant tsunami which caused destruction and deaths as far away as Japan, around a day later. 1960 Chile Earthquake Research Paper. Residents of Valdivia, Chile, inspect an enormous crack caused by the Great Chilean Earthquake on May 22, 1960. The Indian Ocean tsunami of 2004 was caused by a magnitude 9.1 earthquake; it killed at least 225,000 people in a dozen countries. Various studies have placed it at 9.4–9.6 on the moment magnitude scale. The Japan earthquake of 2011 had a magnitude of 9.0; it spawned a tsunami that killed an estimated 19,300 people in Japan and knocked out the electrical power to Japan’s Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, creating the world’s second most serious nuclear emergency. Also referred to as the Great Chilean earthquake or the 1960 Valdivia earthquake, the The event was named after the city most affected by the quake, Valdivia. When those plates scrape against each other and cause an earthquake, the results can be deadly and devastating. Nabih was soon carried off by the second wave after he left the warehouse trying to save his wife. The Valdivia Earthquake took place on the southern coast of Chile, near the city of Valdivia at 3:11 pm (local time) on May 22, 1960. The cities of Puerto Montt and Valdivia experienced extensive damage. The 1960 Valdivia earthquake or Great Chilean Earthquake of Sunday, 22 May 1960 is to date STF/AFP/Getty Images Barrientos has since spent years studying earthquakes. 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. Map depicting the epicentre of the earthquake off the coast of Chile, May 22, 1960. ). Sustainability Policy |  The Rights Holder for media is the person or group credited. Although he was carried away, his warehouse created a shelter for about 20 people. Source: Press Association (Click to view larger image.) It happened 30.5 km off the Chilean coast. Any interactives on this page can only be played while you are visiting our website. Explore major (magnitude of 7.0 or higher) global earthquakes between 1950-2020 filtered from the United States Geological Survey (USGS) Earthquake Catalog. 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