IN PICTURES: Chile’s Strongest Ever 9.5 Magnitude Quake in 1960

May 23, 2017 Web Editor 0
As well as the initial impact, the earthquake also caused a massive tsunami that leveled many coastal towns.

The Chilean town of Valdivia was hit by a 9.5-magnitude earthquake on on May 22, 1960. The impact left thousands dead, many more injured and caused nearly US$800 million worth of damages.

Homes in Valdivia, Chile, destroyed by the earthquake of 1960.

A few days after the earthquake, the Cordon Caulle began a rhyodacitic fissure eruption.
Also known as the Great Chilean earthquake, the historic earthquake is estimated to have left up to 6,000 people dead.
The port of Corral, close to Validivia, was completely leveled by the earthquake-provoked tsunami.
Up to 6,000 are said to have perished, particularly after a tsunami with waves as high as 10.7 meters came in land. The tsunami affected hte entire Pacicif Basin inlcuding Hilo in Hawaii.
The earthquake destroyed millions of dollars worth of infrastructure, including this steel factory in Corral.

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