The 1960 Chilean earthquake, which occurred at 3:11 p.m. on May 22, 1960, also known as the Valdivia Earthquake, was one of the strongest earthquakes ever recorded. Moment magnitude 9.5, Richter 8.9.
Chile is located in the Pacific Rim seismic zone and is one of the most frequent earthquakes in the world.
Even so, earthquakes of this magnitude are very rare, occurring only once in three hundred years.
On May 21, 1969, at 6:02 a.m. local time, an 8.1 magnitude earthquake struck the Chilean province of Arauco before the main earthquake. The quake cut off communications throughout southern Chile, forcing the then-president to cancel scheduled activities to oversee emergency aid.
Unfortunately, just as the government was about to start organizing aid, the second earthquake struck Valdivia the next day (May 22) at 14:55 p.m. local time.
The second quake affected all of Chile, wiping out many coastal villages.
Between May 21 and June 6, the earthquake had 37 epicenters along a 1,350-kilometer north-south coastline. The main port of Valdivia, Corral, rose 4 metres before the tide began to recede. At 16:20 p.m. local time, a huge tsunami with a height of 8 meters hit the Chilean coast, affecting mainly Concepción and Chiloé. After 10 minutes, another huge tsunami with a wave height of 10 meters struck again.
Not only the huge tsunami, but also the earthquake caused a very rare fissure, several places on the surface of the ground new faults and dislocation, and an unknown number of victims are believed to have fallen into the crack at the time of the rift.
Hundreds of people died on the spot after the massive tsunami, and a boat called the Carneiro Merle set sail at the mouth of the Valdivia River, pushed 1.5 kilometers before sinking under the river.
Here's a closer look at the quake:
Time and place:
The Chilean earthquake occurred on May 22, 1960, with its epicenter in the south-central region of Chile, centered on the city of Valdivia, between the lochine region and the Biobio region in southern Chile.
Seismic intensity:
The magnitude of this earthquake was estimated at 9.5 magnitude Richter and was one of the strongest earthquakes ever recognized. It is also the only event where the earthquake has been confirmed as magnitude 9.5.
Elapse:
The earthquake lasted about 10 minutes and was so destructive that it not only caused widespread damage in Chile, but also had a serious impact on the coastlines of other countries. The strong shaking caused by the earthquake not only led to the collapse of buildings, but also caused large-scale soil liquefaction and landslides.
Sabotage and casualties:
The earthquake in Chile caused enormous damage and casualties. It is estimated that the quake killed about 1,655 people and injured thousands. Many buildings in urban and rural areas were destroyed, as were bridges and roads. The tsunami triggered by the earthquake hit the coastlines of Chile and other countries in the Pacific, causing more casualties and destruction.
Impact and Rescue:
The Chilean earthquake had a long-term impact on Chile's economy and society. Reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts have lasted for many years, with national and international relief and assistance playing an important role. The earthquake also drew attention to seismic research and building codes, prompting countries to strengthen earthquake early warning and mitigation measures.
Summary:
The 1960 Chile earthquake was one of the strongest in history, causing severe damage and casualties to Chile and the Pacific Rim countries. The earthquake drew attention to seismic research and preparedness measures, and had a long-term impact on the socio-economic development of Chile and other affected areas.