UNIT 7 The Earth’s dynamics Natural Science 2. Secondary Education HISTORIC EARTHQUAKES

UNIT 7 Historic earthquakes Click on each earthquake to find out more. Natural Science 2. Secondary Education

On the morning of All Saints’ Day, 1 November 1755, one of the most devastating earthquakes ever to hit Western Europe struck Portugal. The earthquake, whose epicentre was most likely in the Atlantic Ocean near Cape St. Vincent, had a magnitude of between 8.5 and 9 on the Richter scale and lasted between three and a half and six minutes. It was felt as far away as the United States. The earthquake resulted in the deaths of 90,000 people in Lisbon and destroyed 85% of the city’s buildings, including palaces, libraries, etc. The 1755 Lisbon earthquake Spain also felt the effects of the earthquake, which damaged or destroyed many buildings, including castles, churches and cathedrals. Many lives were lost in Spain, as well, with most deaths occurring in the coastal areas of Cádiz and Huelva due to tsunamis caused by the earthquake. Some rivers even shifted course as a result of the earthquake. Go back to the start menu Historic earthquakes UNIT 7 Natural Science 2. Secondary Education

On 18 April, 1906, one of the most famous natural disasters in the history of the United States occurred: an earthquake measuring 7.8 on the Richter scale shook the city of San Francisco. It took three days to put out the huge fire that started as a result of the earthquake. At first, 478 deaths were reported, but the death toll is now estimated at approximately 3,000. Strangely enough, the fire that resulted from the earthquake claimed more victims than the earthquake itself. The 1906 San Francisco earthquake In addition to the deaths caused by the earthquake, 75% of San Francisco’s population was left homeless. However, despite extensive damage to their city, residents began to rebuild quickly. Go back to the start menu Historic earthquakes UNIT 7 Natural Science 2. Secondary Education

The 1923 Kanto earthquake struck Japan on 1 September. It devastated one of the country’s most highly populated areas.The city of Yokohama was badly affected, but Japan’s capital, Tokyo, was hit the hardest. The earthquake had a magnitude of 7.8 on the Richter scale. The earthquake itself and the resulting fires that spread throughout the city killed more than 100,000 people. After the earthquake, the city was redesigned with large parks and new government buildings which could be used to accommodate refugees if another similar natural disaster were to occur. The 1923 Kanto earthquake Go back to the Start menu Historic earthquakes UNIT 7 Natural Science 2. Secondary Education

On 22 May, 1960, the Chilean city of Valdivia went down in history as the site of the most powerful earthquake ever recorded on Earth. With a magnitude of 9.5 on the Richter scale, the earthquake caused drastic changes in the region’s geography and resulted in large areas of the city sinking 4 metres below sea level. The earthquake was classified between XI and XII on the Mercalli scale. The earthquake’s magnitude was so high that it was felt in the entire Southern Cone of South America. It caused a tsunami that affected Hawaii and the faraway islands of Japan. It resulted in thousands of deaths and affected approximately 2,000,000 people. The 1960 Valdivia earthquake Go back to the start menu Historic earthquakes UNIT 7 Natural Science 2. Secondary Education

On 27 March, 1964, the most powerful earthquake ever recorded in North American history and the second (or third, as some argue that the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake was more powerful) in recorded history struck Alaska. The earthquake affected a number of towns in Alaska, including the state’s largest city, Anchorage, where building in the city centre were damaged and even collapsed. The 1964 Alaska earthquake Interestingly, because Alaska is sparsely populated and people had left school and work when the earthquake struck, only 128 people died, 110 of which were caused by subsequent tsunamis. Some of these tsunamis hit areas as far away as California. Large stretches of land across Alaska shifted, rising up to 11 metres. Go back to the start menu Historic earthquakes UNIT 7 Natural Science 2. Secondary Education

This devastating earthquake, with an epicentre off the west coast of Sumatra, struck on 26 December, With a magnitude of between 9.1 and 9.3 on the Richter scale, the earthquake resulted in huge tsunamis that hit the coasts of almost all of the countries bordering the Indian Ocean, reaching areas as far away as Somalia and South Africa. The worst part of this natural disaster was that it affected very poor areas, where it was difficult to warn people of the impending danger. An estimated 230,000 people were killed (although some estimates put the death toll at 400,000) and millions were affected. The earthquake was one of the deadliest natural disasters in recorded history. The 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake The devastating earthquake, which happened at Christmastime, prompted a worldwide humanitarian response. People from around the world donated huge amounts of money to aid the affected countries. Go back to the start menu Historic earthquakes UNIT 7 Natural Science 2. Secondary Education