M7.8

2016 Ecuador Earthquake

Muisne, Ecuador — April 16, 2016

The 2016 Ecuador earthquake struck the coastal Esmeraldas province and killed 676 people, injuring over 16,000 others. The disaster struck coastal towns and tourist areas during Saturday evening, when many buildings were occupied. President Correa declared a national emergency.

Earthquake Facts

Magnitude

M7.8

Date

Apr 16, 2016

Depth

20.59 km

Deaths

676

Latitude

0.382°

Longitude

-79.922°

Tsunami

No

Region

Ecuador

Tectonic Cause

Thrust fault along the Nazca-South American subduction zone. The same subduction zone caused the 1906 Ecuador earthquake, estimated at M8.8, making Ecuador's coast one of South America's most seismically active regions.

Sources & Further Reading

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