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The 1868 Arica earthquake
40
The Earthquake of
Arica, Peru
1868
Region
In 1868 Arica was a city in southern Peru. In 1929 Peru and Chile ended a long war and Peru was forced to give the city of Arica and the surrounding land to Chile. Today Arica is located in northern Chile.
Region
Arica, Chile
Today, Arica is located just eleven miles from the boarder of Peru.
The Arica
Earthquake
On August 13, 1868, Arica had an earthquake that measured between an 8.5 and 9.0 on the Richter Scale.The main earthquake lasted for 4 to 5 minutes. Many major aftershocks were recorded by August 25, 1868.
The Tsunami
The Tsunami
After the earthquake, a huge tsunami swept across the Pacific Ocean. The first wave hit Arica 52 minutes after the earthquake. The wave was 39 feet high. The largest wave, standing at 90 feet high, hit Arica 73 minutes after the first wave. Effects from the tsunami were reported across the Pacific Ocean in California, Oregon, Australia, Western Samoa, the Austral islands.
Tsunami Rate of Travel
Graph shows how long it took for the tsunami to travel across the Pacific Ocean.
Damage
- The earthquake and tsunami wiped out most of the southern part of Peru (what is now northern Chile).
- More than 25,000 people died.
- Three ships that had been anchored in the harbor were washed 2,600 feet inland. All crew members died except two.
- The disaster caused an estimated $300 million dollars worth of damage.
Drawing of the 1868 earthquake & tsunami in Arica.
Arica, Chile is at risk
According to scientists at USC Tsunami Research Group, Chile is one of the world's most earthquake prone cities. Just off the coast of Chile, the Nazca tectonic plate pushes underneith the South American plate. In northern Chile, near Arica, the pressure between the two plates is the greatest. This area is known as the "Iquique seismic gap". Scientists predict another massive earthquake, with a magnitude of 8.8 or greater, will strike by 2126.
Iquique Seismic Gap
Just off the coast of Chile, near Arica, there is great pressure on two tectonic plates. This area is known as the "Iquique Seisic Gap". This area is predicted to have a massive earthquake by 2126.