1960 Chile Earthquake
Valdivia, Chile — May 22, 1960
The 1960 Valdivia earthquake is the largest earthquake ever recorded, reaching M9.5. It struck southern Chile on May 22, 1960, generating a Pacific-wide tsunami that killed people as far away as Hawaii, Japan, and the Philippines.
Earthquake Facts
Magnitude
M9.5
Date
May 22, 1960
Depth
25 km
Deaths
1,655
Latitude
-38.143°
Longitude
-73.407°
Tsunami
Yes
Region
Chile
Tectonic Cause
Caused by the subduction of the Nazca Plate beneath the South American Plate along the Chile Trench. The rupture extended approximately 1,000 km along the fault.
Aftermath in Pictures
Photos from Wikimedia Commons — open licenses (CC / Public Domain)
Images sourced from Wikimedia Commons under open licenses. Attribution required where specified. Click any image to enlarge.
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