A Catastrophic Event

Chile's Devastating 1960 Earthquake

A Catastrophic Event

Chile's largest earthquake, a magnitude 9.5 quake struck southern Chile on May 22, 1960. The quake, which lasted for over 10 minutes, was the most powerful earthquake ever recorded. The quake triggered a massive tsunami that devastated the coastal areas of southern Chile. The tsunami waves, which were as high as 25 meters (82 feet), destroyed entire towns and villages. Over 2,000 people were killed and nearly 2 million were left homeless. The quake and tsunami also caused widespread damage in Argentina and Peru. In Argentina, the quake caused the collapse of a dam, which resulted in the deaths of over 100 people. In Peru, the tsunami waves destroyed several coastal towns and villages. The 1960 Chile earthquake was one of the most devastating natural disasters in history. The quake and tsunami caused widespread damage and loss of life, and the effects of the disaster are still felt today.