What was the intensity of the 1960 Chile earthquake?
magnitude 9.5
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 was the intensity of the great Chilean earthquake?
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.
How did Chile prepare for the 1960 earthquake?
After being hit by the planet’s largest-ever recorded earthquake back in 1960, Chile developed strict anti-seismic building codes. Strong columns and weak beams meant buildings would have a better chance of swaying with the tremors and avoiding collapse.
What is the most powerful earthquake ever recorded?
Valdivia Earthquake
Science Center Objects
| Mag | Alternative Name | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | 9.5 | Valdivia Earthquake |
| 2. | 9.2 | 1964 Great Alaska Earthquake, Prince William Sound Earthquake, Good Friday Earthquake |
| 3. | 9.1 | Sumatra-Andaman Islands Earthquake, 2004 Sumatra Earthquake and Tsunami, Indian Ocean Earthquake |
| 4. | 9.1 | Tohoku Earthquake |
What are the 5 most powerful earthquakes since 1900?
The Ten Largest Earthquakes Since 1900
- Chile. May 22, 1960. 9.5.
- Prince William Sound, Alaska. March 28, 1964 3 9.2.
- Andreanof Islands, Aleutian Islands. March 9, 1957. 9.1.
- Japan. March 11, 2011. 9.0.
- Kamchatka. Nov. 4, 1952.
- Off western coast of Sumatra, Indonesia. Dec.
- Off the coast of Ecuador. Jan.
- Offshore Maule, Chile. Feb.
What was the date of the Chilean earthquake in 1960?
Southern Chile Earthquake and Tsunami, 22 May 1960 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.
Where was the most powerful earthquake in Chile?
The earthquake that struck near Valdivia, Chile, in 1960 was the most powerful temblor in recorded history. The quake left about 2 million people homeless.
Where was the largest earthquake in the world in 1960?
Since 1900, numerous magnitude 8 or larger earthquakes have occurred on this subduction zone interface that were followed by devastating tsunamis, including the 1960 M9.5 earthquake in southern Chile, the largest instrumentally recorded earthquake in the world.
What was the magnitude of the 1960 Valdivia earthquake?
Various studies have placed it at 9.4–9.6 on the moment magnitude scale. It occurred in the afternoon (19:11 GMT, 15:11 local time), and lasted for approximately 10 minutes.