WORLD DATA CENTER A 

for 

Solid Earth Geophysics 

TSUNAMIS IN PERU-CHILE 

JULY 1985 

National Geophysical Data Center 
COVER ILLUSTRATIONS: (Left) Cascade formed on East side of Banco Tres Hermanas 

during withdrawal of the water. Higher side is upstream. 

(Center) Tugboat El Pacific0 falls into trough that formed 

opposite Corral. 

(Right) Sand accumulated on starboard side of the Carlos 

Haverbeck while she was aground on Banco Tres Hermanas. 

Illustrations above, from accounts of the May 22, 1960, 

tsunami in Chile, were furnished by Pierre St. Amand. 

The tug has never been found. 
WORLD DATA CENTER A 

for 

Solid Earth Geophysics 

REPORT SE-39 

TSUNAMIS IN PERU-CHILE 

Patricia A. Lockridge 

JULY 1985 

Published by World Data Center A for Solid Earth Geophysics 

U.S. Department of Commerce 

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 

National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service 

National Geophysical Data Center 

Boulder, CO 80303 USA 
DESCRIPTION OF WORLD DATA CENTERS 

World Data Centers conduct international exchange of geophysical observations in accordance with the principles set forth 

by the International Council of Scientific Unions (ICSU). They were established in 1957 by the International Geophysical Year 

Committee (CSAGI) as part of the fundamental international planning for the IGY program to collect data from the numerous 

and widespread IGY observational programs and to make such data readily accessible to interested scientists and scholars 

for an indefinite period of time. WDC-A was established in the U.S.A.; WDC-B in the USSR.; and WDC-C in Western Europe, 

Australia, and Japan. This new system for exchanging geophysical data was found to be very effective, and the operations 

of the World Data Centers were extended by ICSU on a continuing basis to other international programs; the WDC's were under 

the supervision of the Comite International de Geophysique (CIG) for the period 1960 to 1967 and are now supervised by the 

ICSU Panel on World Data Centres. 

The current plans for continued international exchange of geophysical data through the World Data Centers are set forth 

in the fourth Consolidated Guide to lnternational Data Exchange through the World Data Centres, issued by the ICSU Panel 

on World Data Centres. These plans are broadly similar to those adopted under ICSU auspices for the IGY and subsequent 

international programs. 

Functions and Responsibilities of WDC's 

The World Data Centers collect data and publications for the following disciplines: Meteorology; Oceanography; Rockets 

and Satellites; Solar-Terrestrial Physics disciplines (Solar and Interplanetary Phenomena, Ionospheric Phenomena, FlareAssociated Events, Geomagnetic Phenomena, Aurora. Cosmic Rays, Airglow); Solid Earth Geophysics disciplines (Seismology, 

Tsunamis. Gravimetry, Earth Tides, Recent Movements of the Earth's Crust, Rotation of the Earth, Magnetic Measurements, 

Paleomagnetism and Archemagnetism, Volcanology, Geothermics), and Marine Geology and Geophysics. In planning for the 

various scientific programs, decisions on data exchange were made by the scientific community through the international 

scientific unions and committees. In each discipline, the specialists themselves determined the nature and form of data exchange, based on their needs as research workers. Thus. the type and amount of data in the WDC's differ from discipline to 

discipline. 

The objects of establishing several World Data Centers for collecting observational data were: (1) to insure against loss 

of data by the catastrophic destruction of a single center, (2) to meet the geographical convenience of, and provide easy communication for workers in different parts of the world. Each WDC is rekponsible for: (1) endeavoring to collect a complete set 

of data in the field or discipline for which it is responsible, (2) safe-keeping of the incoming data, (3) correct copying and reproduction of data, maintaining adequate standards of clarity and durability, (4) supplying copies to other WDC's of data not received 

directly, (5) preparation of catalogs of all data in its charge, and (6) making data in the WDC's available to the scientific community. The WDC's conduct their operation at no expense to ICSU or to the ICSU family of unions and committees. 

World Data Center A 

World Data Center A, for which the National Academy of Sciences throygh the Geophysics Research Forum and its Committee on Geophysical Data has overall responsibility, consists of the W'DC-A Coordination Office and seven subcenters at 

scientific institutions in various parts of the United States. The GRF periodically reviews the activities of WDC-A and has conducted several studies on the effectiveness of the WDC system. As a result of these reviews and studies, some of the subcenters 

of WDC-A have been relocated so that they could more effectively serve the scientific community. The addresses of the WDCA subcenters and Coordination Office are given inside the front cover. 

The data received by WDC-A have been made available to the scientific community in various ways: (1) reports containing 

data and results Of experiments have been compiled, published, and widely distributed; (2) synoptic-type data on cards, microfilm, 

or tables are available for use at the subcenters and for loan to scientists: (3) copies of data and reports are provided upon request. 
CONTENTS 

INTRODUCTION ............................................................... 1 

BACKGROUND ................................................................. 3 

PERU ....................................................................... 13 

NORTH CHILE ................................................................ 27 

NORTH CENTRAL CHILE ........................................................ 41 

CENTRAL CHILE .............................................................. 53 

SOUTH CENTRAL CHILE ........................................................ 63 

SOUTH CHILE ................................................................ 75 

BIBLIOGRAPHY ............................................................... 83 

APPENDIX . SUMMARY TABLES AND RELATED DATA ................................. 93 

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ............................................................ 76 

TABLES 

1 . 

2 . 

3 . 

4 . 

5 . 

6 . 

7 . 

8 . 

9 . 10 . 

11 . 

12 . 

13 . 14 . 

15 . 

16 . 

17 . 

18 . 19 . 20 . 

21 . 

22 . 23 . 

TSUNAMIGENIC EARTHQUAKES OF PERU-CHILE ............................... TSUNAMIGENIC EARTHQUAKES OF PERU ..................................... EFFECTS IN PERU-CHILE OF TSUNAMIS GENERATED IN PERU .................. EFFECTS OUTSIDE PERU-CHILE OF TSUNAMIS GENERATED IN PERU ............. SUMMARY OF DAMAGE AND NUMBER OF DEATHS CAUSED BY PERUVIAN TSUNAMIS ... CITIES AND AREAS ALONG COAST OF PERU THAT REPORTED TSUNAMIS FROM ALL 

SOURCE REGIONS ....................................................... TSUNAMIGENIC EARTHQUAKES OF NORTH CHILE .............................. EFFECTS IN PERU-CHILE OF TSUNAMIS GENERATED IN NORTH CHILE ........... EFFECTS OUTSIDE PERU-CHILE OF TSUNAMIS GENERATED IN NORTH CHILE ...... SUMMARY OF DAMAGE AND NUMBER OF DEATHS CAUSED BY NORTH CHILE TSUNAMIS 

CITIES AND AREAS ALONG COAST OF NORTH CHILE THAT REPORTED TSUNAMIS 

FROM ALL SOURCE REGIONS .............................................. TSUNAMIGENIC EARTHQUAKES OF NORTH CENTRAL CHILE ...................... EFFECTS IN PERU-CHILE OF TSUNAMIS GENERATED IN NORTH CENTRAL CHILE ... EFFECTS OUTSIDE PERU-CHILE OF TSUNAMIS GENERATED IN NORTH CENTRAL 

CHILE ................................................................ SUMMARY OF DAMAGE AND NUMBER OF DEATHS CAUSED BY NORTH CENTRAL CHILE 

TSUNAMIS ............................................................. CITIES AND AREAS ALONG THE COAST OF NORTH CENTRAL CHILE THAT REPORTED 

TSUNAMIS FROM ALL SOURCE REGIONS ..................................... TSUNAMIGENIC EARTHQUAKES OF CENTRAL CHILE ............................ EFFECTS IN PERU-CHILE OF TSUNAMIS GENERATED IN CENTRAL CHILE ......... EFFECTS OUTSIDE PERU-CHILE OF TSUNAMIS GENERATED IN CENTRAL CHILE .... SUMMARY OF DAMAGE AND NUMBER OF DEATHS CAUSED BY CENTRAL CHILE 

TSUNAMIS ............................................................. CITIES AND AREAS ALONG COAST OF CENTRAL CHILE THAT REPORTED TSUNAMIS 

FROM ALL SOURCE REGIONS .............................................. TSUNAMIGENIC EARTHQUAKES OF SOUTH CENTRAL CHILE ...................... EFFECTS IN PERU-CHILE OF TSUNAMIS GENERATED IN SOUTH CENTRAL CHILE ... 

6 

14 

22 

23 

24 

24 

30 

35 

37 

39 

40 

43 

49 

50 

50 

51 

55 

55 

56 

61 

61 

65 

65 

iii 
TABLES (CONT . 1 

24 . EFFECTS OUTSIDE PERU-CHILE OF MAY 22. 1960. TSUNAMI GENERATED 

IN SOUTH CENTRAL CHILE ............................................... 66 

TSUNAMIS .............................................................. 73 

TSUNAMIS FROM ALL SOURCE REGIONS ..................................... 73 

25 . SUMMARY OF DAMAGE AND NUMBER OF DEATHS CAUSED BY SOUTH CENTRAL CHILE 

26 . CITIES AND AREAS ALONG COAST OF SOUTH CENTRAL CHILE THAT REPORTED 

27 . TSUNAMIGENIC EARTHQUAKES OF SOUTH CHILE ............................... 77 

28 . EFFECTS IN PERU-CHILE OF TSUNAMIS GENERATED IN SOUTH CHILE ............ 77 

29 . EFFECTS OUTSIDE PERU-CHILE OF TSUNAMIS GENERATED IN SOUTH CHILE ....... 77 

30 . SUMclARY OF DAMAGE AND NUMBER OF DEATHS CAUSED BY SOUTH CHILE TSUNAMIS . 78 

31 . CITIES AND AREAS ALONG COAST OF SOUTH CHILE THAT REPORTED TSUNAMIS 

FROM ALL SOURCE REGIONS ............................................... 78 

FIGURES 

1 . 

2 . 

3 . 

4 . 

5 . 

6 . 

7 . 

8 . 

9 . 

10 . 

11 . 12 . 

13 . 14 . 

15 . 

16 . 

17 . 

18 . 

19 . 

20 . 21 . 

MAP OF GEOLOGIC FEATURES OF PERU-CHILE ................................ 2 

MAP OF GEOGRAPHIC REGIONS OF PERU-CHILE ............................... 5 

MAP OF EPICENTERS OF TSUNAMIGENIC EARTHQUAKES OF PERU ................. 12 

GRAPH OF NUMBER OF TSUNAMIGENIC EARTHQUAKES PER DEGREE OF PERUVIAN 

COASTLINE ............................................................. 16 

MAP OF AREA OF PERU-CHILE COAST AFFECTED BY PERU TSUNAMI OF NOV . 24. 

1604 .................................................................. 17 

MAP OF AREA OF PERU-CHILE COAST AFFECTED BY PERU TSUNAMI OF OCT . 20, 

1687 ........... : ...................................................... 17 

MAP Of AREA OF PERU-CHILE COAST AFFECTED BY PERU TSUNAMI OF OCT . 28. 

1746 .................................................................. 18 

MAP OF AREA OF PERU-CHILE COAST AFFECTED BY PERU TSUNAMI OF NOV . 20. 

1960 .................................................................. 18 

MAP OF AREA OF PERU-CHILE COAST AFFECTED BY PERU TSUNAMI OF OCT . 1966 .................................................................. 19 

MAP OF AREAS OUTSIDE PERU-CHILE REPORTING TSUNAMIS OF JULY 9. 

OCT . 20. 1687; and OCT . 28, 1746 ...................................... 20 

MAP OF AREAS OUTSIDE PERU-CHILE REPORTING TSUNAMI OF NOV . 20, 1960 .... 20 

GRAPH OF NUMBER OF REPORTED OBSERVATIONS OF TSUNAMI EFFECTS PER DEGREE 

OF PERUVIAN COASTLINE ................................................. 21 

MAP OF EPICENTERS OF TSUNAMIGENIC EARTHQUAKES IN NORTH CHILE .......... 28 

GRAPH OF NUMBER OF TSUNAMIGENIC EARTHQUAKES PER DEGREE OF NORTH CHILE 

COASTLINE ............................................................. 31 

MAP OF AREA OF PERU-CHILE COAST AFFECTEO BY CHILE TSUNAMI OF AUG . 1868 .................................................................. 32 

MAP OF AREA OF PERU-CHILE COAST AFFECTED BY CHILE TSUNAMI OF MAY 10, 

1877 .................................................................. 32 

MAP OF AREAS OUTSIDE PERU-CHILE REPORTING CHILE TSUNAMI OF AUG . 13, 

1868 .................................................................. 33 

MAP OF AREAS OUTSIDE PERU-CHILE REPORTING CHILE TSUNAMI OF MAY 10. 

1877 .................................................................. 33 

GRAPH OF NUMBER OF REPORTED OBSERVATIONS OF TSUNAMI EFFECTS PER DEGREE 

OF NORTH CHILE COASTLINE .............................................. 34 

MAP OF EPICENTERS OF TSUNAMIGENIC EARTHQUAKES OF NORTH CENTRAL CHILE .. 42 

GRAPH OF NUMBER OF TSUNAMIGENIC EARTHQUAKES PER DEGREE OF NORTH 

CENTRAL CHILE COASTLINE ............................................... 44 

17. 

1586; 

13. 

iv 
FIGURES (CONT.) 

22. 

23. 

24. 

25. 

26. 

27. 

28. 

29. 

30. 

31. 

32. 

33. 

34. 

35. 

36. 

37. 

38. 

39. 

40. 

41. 

42. 

MAP OF AREA OF PERU-CHILE COAST AFFECTED BY CHILE TSUNAMI OF JULY 8, 

1730 ..... . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. ... . . . . . . . . . . .. ... ... . .. . . .. . . . . 45 

MAP OF AREA OF PERU-CHILE COAST AFFECTED BY CHILE TSUNAMI OF FEB. 20, 

1835 .................................................................. 45 

1922 .................................................................. 46 

1922 .................................................................. 47 

GRAPH OF NUMBER OF REPORTED OBSERVATIONS OF TSUNAMI EFFECTS PER DEGREE 

OF NORTH CENTRAL CHILE COASTLINE ...................................... 48 

MAP OF EPICENTERS OF TSUNAMIGENIC EARTHQUAKES OF CENTRAL CHILE.. . . . . . . 52 

GRAPH OF NUMBER OF TSUNAMIGENIC EARTHQUAKES PER DEGREE OF CENTRAL CHILE 

COASTLINE ............................................................. 57 

MAP OF AREA OF PERU-CHILE COASTLINE AFFECTED BY CHILE TSUNAMI OF AUG. 

16, 1906 .............................................................. 58 

MAP OF AREAS OUTSIDE PERU-CHILE REPORTING CHILE TSUNAMI OF AUG. 

19 .................................................................... 59 

MAP OF AREAS OUTSIDE PERU-CHILE REPORTING CHILE TSUNAMI OF MAR. 

1985.. . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59 

GRAPH OF NUMBER OF REPORTED OBSERVATIONS OF TSUNAMI EFFECTS PER DEGREE 

OF CENTRAL CHILE COASTLINE ............................................ 60 

MAP OF EPICENTERS OF TSUNAMIGENIC EARTHQUAKES OF SOUTH CENTRAL CHILE.. 64 

GRAPH OF NUMBER OF TSUNAMIGENIC EARTHQUAKES PER DEGREE OF SOUTH CENTRAL 

CHILE COASTLINE ....................................................... 67 

MAY 22, 1960 ............... .......................................... 70 

MAY 22, 1960 ............................................................ 71 

GRAPH OF NUMBER OF REPORTED OBSERVATIONS OF TSUNAMI EFFECTS PER DEGREE 

OF SOUTH CENTRAL CHILE COASTLINE...... ................................ 72 

MAP OF EPICENTERS OF TSUNAMIGENIC EARTHQUAKES OF SOUTH CHILE.. ........ 74 

GRAPH OF NUMBER OF TSUNAMIGENIC EARTHQUAKES PER DEGREE OF SOUTH CHILE 

COASTLINE .............................................................. 79 

MAY 25, 1751; APRIL 11, 1819; FEB. 20, 1835; AND NOV. 7, 1837 ......... 80 

GRAPH OF NUMBER OF REPORTED OBSERVATIONS OF TSUNAMI EFFECTS PER DEGREE 

OF SOUTH CHILE COASTLINE .............................................. 81 

MAP OF AREA OF PERU-CHILE COAST AFFECTED BY CHILE TSUNAMI OF M3V. 

MAP OF AREAS OUTSIDE PERU-CHILE REPORTING CHILE TSUNAMI OF NOV. 11, 

11, 

16, 

3, 

MAP OF AREA OF PERU-CHILE COASTLINE AFFECTED BY CHILE TSUNAMI OF 

MAP OF AREAS OUTSIDE PERU-CHILE REPORTING CHILE TSUNAMI OF 

MAP OF AREAS OUTSIDE PERU-CHILE REPORTING THE TSUNAMIS OF JULY 8, 1730; 

MAP OF REMOTE-SOURCE TSUNAMIS REPORTED IN PERU-CHILE .................. 82 

V 
TSUNAMIS IN PERU-CHILE 

BY 

Patricia Lockridge 

National Geophysical Data Center 

World Data Center A for Solid Earth Geophysics 

Boulder. Colorado 

INTRO DUCT1 ON 

The National Geophysical Data Center (NGDC) and its collocated World Data 

Center-A for Solid Earth Geophysics (WDC-A) are responsible for acquiring, 

archiving, and disseminating three types of tsunami data: tide gage records 

(marigrams), photographs of wave action and property damage, and digital data on 

the occurrence and effects of tsunamis. This responsibility includes the provision of information on this hazard to local officials who are responsible for 

warning inhabitants endangered by tsunamis, and to scientists who are engaged in 

research to mitigate the effects of tsunamis. 

A tsunami is a series of ocean waves generated by an impulsive disturbance in 

the ocean or in a small, connected body of water. Defined in this way, the term 

i ncl udes waves generated by abrupt ocean-bottom di spl acements caused by earthquakes, submari ne or shore1 i ne 1 andsl ides, vol cani c erupt1 ons, and expl osi ons. 

These long-period, low-amplitude waves pose a threat to no one in the open 

ocean, but their speed decreases as they reach shallow water and their height 

increases. Property damage and casualties in coastal cities may therefore 

result . 

The project for Tsunami Hazard Reduction Using System Technology (THRUST), sponsored by the Office for U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance/Agency for International Development (AID), is a comprehensive program to mitigate destruction 

from tsunamis in developing countries. As part of this project, NGDC/WDC-A has 

compiled several sets of data that contain historical information about tsunamis 

in the Peru-Chile area. This area of South America was chosen for the project 

because it is one of the most highly seismic regions in the world. Tsunamis 

spawned by earthquakes in this region have caused considerable destruction along 

the coast of South America and elsewhere. 

To show the differences in seismicity and vulnerability to tsunami damage that 

exist in the Peru-Chile coastal area, we have divided the coastline into several 

regions to facilitate the examination and comparison of the data in each region. 
ANTARCTIC 

PLATE 
These regions are: 

1) Peru (3" S. latitude to (18" S. latitude), 

2) North Chile (18" S. latitude to ~27" S. latitude), 

3) North Central Chile (27" S. latitude to (33" S. latitude), 

4) Central Chile (33" S. latitude to <37" S. latitude), 

4) South Central Chile (37" S. latitude to <41" S. latitude), and 

5) South Chile (41" S. latitude to 60" S. latitude). 

This report contains maps that show major geologic features of the entire 

(fig. l), as well as locations of major coastal cities in Peru-Chile (f 

In addition, each region includes five tables that contain the following 

mat i on : 

1) list of earthquakes that both occurred and generated tsunamis 

regi on, 

2) effects in Peru-Chile of tsunamis generated in the region, 

3) effects outside Peru-Chile of tsunamis generated in the region, 

region 

9. 2). i nforin the 

4) damage and number of deaths from tsunamis in the region, 

5) coastal cities in the region that reported tsunamis from all sources. 

- 

The chapters descri bi ng the above regi ons contain : bar graphs depi cti ng the 

number of tsunamigenic earthquakes that have occurred at each degree of latitude; maps showing the extent of affected coastline for several of the larger 

earthquakes; and maps showing areas throughout the Pacific Ocean Basin where 

major tsunami s were reported. 

BACKGROUND 

The historical data in this report were taken from catalogs in the "Reference" 

list, which follows table 1. Where the sources differ markedly, separate entries 

for each source are included in the table. Further, some reports of tsunami 

events that do not fit the definition of a tsunami as given on page 1 also are 

included in table 1. However, if known to be spurious, data for these events 

appear only in table 1, not in the tables and maps elsewhere in this report. 

A historical study of the tsunamis in this area and of the earthquakes that generated them will benefit not only the inhabitants of Chile and Peru, but also 

those of other nations in the Pacific Ocean Basin. Many areas outside the 

Continent of South America have reported damage from tsunamis generated in the 

Peru-Chile area. For example, only those tsunamis that originated in the PeruChile and Aleutian trenches have historically caused significant wave runup 

along the Pacific coast of the United States (Garcia, 1976). 

Earthquakes that have generated tsunamis in the Peru-Chile area have hypocenters 

off the coast at a shallow depth. The seismic zone in Western South America is 

a continuous boundary along which the Nazca Plate underthrusts the South American Plate, producing the Peru-Chile trench (Garcia, 1976). Most earthquake hypocenters in this area lie on the shoreward side of this trench--in the most 

highly seismic region between latitudes 12' S. (Lima, Peru) and 40"s. (Valdivia, 

Chi 1 e) (Berni nghausen, 1962). Contemporary studies i ndi cate that 1 arge-magni tude 

earthquakes in this area cause motion along the boundary of the Nazca-South 

American Plates. Any segment of the boundary that has not ruptured for many 

decades is considered to be a zone of high seismic risk (Garcia, 1976). 

3 
One of every three Pacific-wide tsunamis in the 20th century was generated in 

Peru or Chile. An earthquake of sufficient magnitude to generate a tsunami that 

would affect the entire Pacific Basin (mag. = 8.2) occurs in Chile once every 25 

years on the average. Further, 40 percent of all damaging tsunamis in the 20th 

century were generated in Chile. 

Major differences in seismicity, in morphology of the coast, and in potential 

for generation of large tsunamis exist along the coastline of Peru-Chile. For 

example, the maximum dimension of rupture zones caused by large South American 

earthquakes varies considerably along the trench. These variations may be 

related to the rate of subduction of the Nazca Plate as well as to variations in 

the morphology of the inner wall of the trench. 

The southern coast of Chile south of 40' S. latitude differs markedly from the 

northern portion of the coast. From Northern Peru to Southern Chile the coast 

is regular and has few indentations, but from 41" S. to Tierra del Fuego the 

coast is penetrated by a complex system of inlets (Murty and others, 1975) and 

the Peru-Chile trench is less well defined. The Chile Ridge (a bathymetric 

feature of the Pacific Basin) intersects the South American coast at about 46's. 

latitude, where it forms the southern boundary of the Nazca Plate. A decrease 

in seismicity occurs south of that southern boundary (McCann and others, 1979). 

Although a map plot of instrumentally determined epicenters of medium-size 

earthquakes shows a rather even distribution from north to south, major shocks 

appear to be restricted to a few discrete source areas. Each of these source 

areas displays a characteristic pattern of seismic and tsunami effects (Lomitz, 

1970). 

4 
5' 

10"' 

15"' 

20" 

25" 

30" 

35" 

40d 

45"' 

50"' 

55" 

PERU 

(3's- <18OS) 

NORTH CHILE 

m0s -< 270 S) 

HUASCO NORTH CENTRAL CHILE 

(27°s-<330s) 

,!, VALPARAI 

CENTRAL CHILE 

(33OS -< 37OSI 

SOUTH CENTRAL CHILE +ORONEL 

(37OS - <4I0S) I VALD IVI A 

FIGURE 2. GEOGRAPHIC REGIONS OF PERU-CHILE 

115" 110" 105" 100" 95" 90" 85" 80" 75" 70" 

5 

LA 

ASTA 

I 

I 

U 

I 

NAS 

1 
TABLE 1. TSUNAMIGENIC EARTHQUAKES OF PERU-CHILE 

* 1562 10 28 1000 38.0 73.5 8.0 16.0 4.0 3.5 S. CENTRAL CHILE * 1570 02 OB 1300 37.0 73.0 8.8 4.0 2.0 3.0 S. CENTRAL CHILE 

1575 03 17 0600 33.4 70.6 7.3 4.0 2.0 2.5 CENTRAL CHILE 

1575 12 06 (40.0 74.0) S. CENTRAL CHILE 

1575 12 16 1900 40.0 74.0 7.8 4.0 2.0 2.5 S. CENTRAL CHILE 

* 1575 12 16 

1575 12 16 

*<I586 07 09 

1604 11 24 * 1604 I1 24 

1604 11 26 

1604 11 29 

1605 11 26 

1605 11 29 

1615 09 16 

* 1633 05 14 * 1647 05 07 

1647 05 13 

1651 00 00 

1657 03 15 

1657 03 15 

1657 07 09 

1681 03 IO 

1682 10 19 

1686 00 00 

1687 07 12 

1687 07 12 

*<I687 10 20 

1705 11 16 it 1705 11 26 

1715 OB 22 

1725 03 27 

*<I730 07 OB 

1737 12 24 

1742 03 23 

*<I746 10 28 

1750 05 24 

1751 03 25 

1751 05 02 

1751 05 24 

*<I751 05 25 

1765 00 00 

1806 12 01 

1811 11 19 

1819 04 03 

1830 39.8 

40.0 

12.2 

1613 18.0 

17.0 

(18.0 

( 18.0 

(18.0 

(18.0 

2400 18.6 

(41.8 

(14.2 

(14.2 

2330 37.0 

33.3 

(33.3 

(18.5 

13.5 

(12.0 

(32.2 

0700 32.8 

13.5 

(18.6 

18.6 

( 18.5 

(16.6 

1300 32.5 

43.0 

(36.8 

12.0 

(36.5 

0530 (36.9 

37.0 

0500 36.5 

(12.1 

(33.0 

(27.4 

73.2 

70.0 

77.7 

71.5 

72.0 

71.5) 

71.5) 

71.5) 

71.5) 

71 .O 

74.0) 

75.7) 

75.7) 

73.0 

7 0.4 

70.4) 

70.3) 

76.5 

77 0) 

70.8) 

70.7 

76.5 

70.2) 

70.2 

70.3) 

72.7 1 

71.5 

74.0 

73.0) 

8.5 S. CENTRAL CHILE 

S. CENTRAL CHILE 

8.5 26.0 4.0 PERU 

8.4 16.0 4.0 PERU 

8.5 8.0 3.5 PERU 

PERU 

PERU 

PERU 

PERU 

7.5 4.0 2.0 1.5 NORTH CHILE 

2.0 

2.8 

22.6 

8.0 8.0 

0.7 

7.5 

7.3 

8.5 8.0 

8.0 

7.5 

2.0 

8.7 16.0 

77.0 8.0 

74.0) 

73.0) 8.5 

73.0 8.2 

74.0 6.0 

77.1) 

71.4) 

70.3) 

1.5 

2.0 

5.0 

3.0 2.5 

0.0 

3.5 

3.0 

1.5 

4.0 3.5 

SOUTH CHILE 

PERU 

PERU 

NORTH CHILE 

S. CENTRAL CHILE 

CENTRAL CHILE 

CENTRAL CHILE 

NORTH CHILE 

PERU 

PERU 

N. CENTRAL CHILE 

N. CENTRAL CHILE 

PERU 

NORTH CHILE 

NORTH CHILE 

NORTH CHILE 

PERU 

N. CENTRAL CHILE 

SOUTH 

CENTRAL CHILE 

24.0 4.6 3.5 PERU 

CENTRAL CH I LE 

CENTRAL CHILE 

S. CENTRAL CHILE 

3.5 1.8 3.5 S. CENTRAL CHILE 

CENTRAL CHILE 

2.8 2.0 N. CENTRAL CHILE 

1.0 0.5 PERU 

4.0 2.0 2.0 CENTRAL CHILE 

N. CENTRAL CHILE 

1819 04 04 (27.4 70.3) N. CENTRAL CHILE 

1819 04 11 27.2 71.2 2.0 N. CENTRAL CH I LE 

*<la19 04 11 0300 27.0 71.5 8.5 4.0 2.0 N. CENTRAL CHILE 

1819 04 13 (27.2 71.2) N. CENTRAL CHILE 

1819 05 00 (27.2 71.2) N. CENTRAL CHILE 

1822 11 19 33.0 72.0 2.0 CENTRAL CHILE 

1822 11 19 0230 33.0 71.6 8.5 CENTRAL CHILE 

1822 11 19 0300 33.0 71.4 8.5 3.5 2.0 CENTRAL CHILE 

1829 09 26 (33.1 71.7) CENTRAL CH I LE 

1835 OIL 20 1626 37.0 73.0 8.2 24.0 4.6 3.0 S. CENTRAL CHILE 

4 T 

4 -T 

T 

T 

4 T 

T 

4 T 

T 

4 T 

1,9,10,3 I ,38,52 

1,9,10,3 1,38,51 

9,10,31,52 

9 

1,10,31,38,51 

52 

9 

9,10,38 

1,9,10,31 

38 

9 

9 

9 

9 

4 T 1,9,10,3l,38,5l 

T 9,38 

3 T 9,10,38 

9 

3 T 

T 

3 T 

T 

4 T 

4 T 

3 T 

T 

4 T 

T 

T 

4 T 

T 

4 T 

T 

3 T 

T 

4 T 

4 

T 

T 

T 

9,10 

1,31,38,51 

9 

9,38 

31,51 

10,38 

9,10 

31,51 

52 

9#38 

9 

9,10,38 

311,51 

9,38 

1,9,10,3 1,38,5 I 

9,31,38 

9,38 

9,10,38 

9 

9 

9 

9,38 

1,9,10,3 1,38,5 1 

9,38 

9,10,38 

9,38 

9,31 

9,31 

IO 

1,5,9,31,38,51 

9 

9 

lo,% 

52 

1,9,31,51 

9,31,38 

1,5,9,31,38,51 

6 
TABLE 1. TSUNAMIGENIC EARTHQUAKES OF PERU-CHILE (CONT.) 

1835 02 20 36.5 74.0 CENTRAL CHILE 

*<1835 02 20 1530 36.8 73.0 8.2 15.0 4.0 CENTRAL CHILE 

1836 02 20 (37.0 73.0) S. CENTRAL CHILE 

1836 06 03 (22.6 70.3) 7.5 1.0 NORTH CHILE 

1836 07 03 1306 (22.6 70.3) 7.5 2.0 1.0 1.0 NORTH CHILE 

1836 07 03 2230 22.5 70.3 7.5 NORTH CHILE 

'(1837 11 07 1130 42.5 74.0 8.5 8.0 3.0 3.0 SOUTH CHILE 

1838 05 07 (36.7 73.1) 0.7 0.0 CENTRAL CHILE 

1839 02 12 33.6 76.8 CENTRAL CHILE 

1847 05 23 (12.1 77.1) 2.0 1.5 PERU 

1847 10 19 

1849 06 17 

1849 11 17 

1849 11 18 

1849 11 28 

1849 12 17 

1849 12 17 

1851 04 02 

1851 04 13 

1851 05 26 

1851 05 26 

1855 08 11 

1858 04 24 * 1859 10 05 

1859 10 11 

1860 04 23 

1861 03 20 * 1865 01 08 

1868 08 08 

1868 08 11 

1868 08 13 

*<I868 08 13 

1868 08 14 

1868 08 15 

1868 09 14 

1868 10 02 

1868 10 16 

1869 01 27 

1869 02 06 

1869 04 22 

(29.9 

(30.0 

(30.0 

30.0 

(30.0 

0610 (30.0 

1010 29.9 

(33.0 

(33.0 

28 .o 

1814 27.0 

(33.0 

(30.0 

1500 27.0 

(12.0 

(12.0 

(18.6 

(18.6 

1645 18.6 

2045 18.6 

(18.5 

(18.6 

(36.7 

17.0 

(33.1 

(36.6 

(39.9 

(12.1 

71.4) 

71.5) 

71.5) 6.8 

71.5 6.7 

71;5) 

71.5) 7.5 

71.4 7.5 

71.5) 

71.7) 

70.5 7.2 

71.6 7.2 

71.7) 

71.4) 

70.0 

77.1) 

77.1) 

71 .O) 

71 .O) 

71 .O 

71.0 

71 .O) 

71 .O) 

73.2) 

72.5 

71.7) 

72.9) 

73.4) 

77.1 ) 

N. CENTRAL CHILE 

N. CENTRAL CHILE 

5.0 2.3 2.5 N. CENTRAL CHILE 

N. CENTRAL CHILE 

N. CENTRAL CHILE 

4.0 2.0 N. CENTRAL CHILE 

5.0 2.3 N. CENTRAL CHILE 

CENTRAL CHILE 

CENTRAL CHILE 

2.8 2.0 N. CENTRAL CHILE 

3.0 1.6 N. CENTRAL CHILE 

0.7 0.0 S. CENTRAL CHILE 

6.5 1.4 

?.7 5.5 2.5 

0.7 

2.0 

8.5 15.0 4.0 

8.5 21.0 4.3 

1 .o 

1 .o 

1.0 

2.5 

0.0 

1.5 

3.5 

0.5 

0.5 

0.5 

0.0 

0.0 

1 .o 

N. CENTRAL CHILE 

N. CENTRAL CHILE 

N. CENTRAL CHILE 

PERU 

S. CENTRAL CHI LE 

PERU 

NORTH CHI LE 

NORTH CHILE 

NORTH CHI LE 

NORTH CHILE 

NORTH CHI LE 

NORTH CHI LE 

CENTRAL CHILE 

PERU 

CENTRAL CHILE 

CENTRAL CHILE 

S. CENTRAL CHILE 

PERU 

1869 06 25 (19.6 70.2) 0.7 0.0 NORTH CHILE 

1869 08 09 (30.0 71.4) 3.0 1.6 1.5 N. CENTRAL CHILE 

1869 08 19 16.0 73.5 6.5 PERU 

1869 08 21 21.0 70.0 (5.8 0.7 0.0 NORTH CHILE 

1869 08 21 19.0 70.5 6.8 2.0 1.5 NORTH CHILE * 1869 08 24 1710 18.6 70.0 6.8 2.0 1.0 NORTH CHILE 

1869 08 24 

1869 08 24 

1871 03 25 

1871 08 20 

1871 08 21 

1871 08 21 

1871 10 05 

1871 12 28 

1873 07 07 

18.6 

1710 19.0 

1454 35.0 

(33.1 

12.0 

13.0 

0050 20.1 

(4 1.5 

70.0 7.8 

71.0 7.8 

72.5 7.5 

71.7) 

76.6 

77.0 7.0 

71.3 7.5 

73.0) 

2.0 1.0 NORTH CHI LE 

2.0 1.0 NORTH CHI LE 

1 .o 0.5 CENTRAL CHILE 

1 .o 0.5 CENTRAL CHILE 

PERU 

2.0 1.0 1.0 PERU 

NORTH CHILE 

1 .o 0.5 SOUTH CHILE 

CENTRAL CHILE 

10 

4 T 52 

9 

T 9,10,38 

9,10,38,51 

3 52 

4 T 1,5,9,10,31,38,52 

T 9,38 

V 9,38 

T38 

9 

9.58 

T 9,31,38 

T 9,38 

9 

T 9,10,51 

4 52 

T 9,10,31,38 

9 

38 

4 T 9,10,31,51 

T 9,38 

T 

4 T 

3 T 

3 T 

T 

4 T 

T 

T 

T 

3 T 

3T 

T 

T 

9,38 

1,9,10,31,38,51 

9 

9,10,38 

9 

9,38 

9 

9 

1 4 5 9,10,31,38,51 

9 

9 

9.38 

9,M 

9,38 

9,38 

99% 

9.38 

5; ' * 

T 9,M 

3 T 9,s 

T 1,9,10,38 

T 9,38 

T38 

4 T 52 

T 9,10,51 

T 51 

3 T 9,38,52 

T 9,38 

9 

T 1,9,10,38 

T 9,38,51 

T 9,58 

9,10 

1 
TABLE 1. TSUNAMIGENIC EARTHQUAKES OF PERU-CHILE (CONT.) 

1873 11 19 

1877 05 09 

1877 05 09 

*<la77 05 10 

1877 05 15 

1877 06 15 

1877 08 23 

1877 09 02 

1877 10 09 

1878 01 23 

1878 02 03 

1878 02 14 

1878 02 15 

1878 03 12 

1878 04 12 

1878 04 13 

1878 06 12 

1878 06 16 

1878 09 15 

1878 11 23 

1879 08 08 

1880 08 15 

1881 07 14 

1881 10 27 

1882 02 23 

1882 09 14 

1885 11 12 

1886 08 29 

1896 03 13 

1898 07 23 

1899 08 08 

1903 09 26 

1903 12 07 

1906 05 07 

1906 08 07 

*<1906 08 17 

1906 12 26 

1908 12 12 

1909 06 08 

1909 06 08 

1911 09 15 

1913 07 28 

1913 08 06 

1914 01 12 

1914 02 26 

1918 05 20 

1918 12 04 

1918 12 04 

1918 12 18 

1920 08 20 

1920 08 20 

1922 01 06 

1922 11 07 

1922 11 10 

*<1922 11 11 

0100 

0216 

1248 

0740 

1509 

0040 

0653 

1208 

0546 

0539 

2214 

0458 

1755 

1148 

1615 

1615 

141 1 

2300 

0433 

0432 

(23.6 

21.5 

21.6 

19.6 

(19.6 

(20.2 

23.7 

16.3 

(16.3 

(36.8 

(16.3 

(20.2 

(20.2 

(20.2 

(23.6 

(23.6 

(33.1 

(33.1 

31 .O 

(20.2 

(19.6 

(27.9 

(19.6 

(20.2 

(20.2 

37 .O 

(20.2 

28.5 

(18.5 

(33.0 

33.0 

18.0 

14.0 

25.0 

26.5 

20.0 

17.0 

17.0 

12.0 

18.0 

28.5 

26.0 

27 .O 

(27.4 

38.0 

38 .O 

16.5 

28.0 

29.0 

28.5 

70.4) 

70.5 

71 .O 

70.2 

70.2) 

70.1) 

70.4 

71.3 

71.3) 

73.0) 

71.3) 

70.1) 

70.1) 

70.1) 

70.4 1 

70.4) 

71.7) 

71.7) 

71.5 

70.1) 

70.2) 

70.1) 

70.2) 

70.1) 

70.1 ) 

74 .O 

70.1) 

71 .O 

70.3) 

72.0) 

72.0 

71 .O 

78 .O 

73 .O 

70.5 

72 .O 

74 .O 

74 .O 

76.6 

67.0 

71.5 

71 .O 

71 .O 

70.3) 

73.5 

73.5 

73.0 

72.0 

71 .O 

70.0 

8.5 

8.3 

7 .O 

7.0 

6.5 

6.5 

8.6 

7.9 

8.2 

7.6 

7.3 

7 .O 

7.9 

7.2 

7.9 

7.8 

5.5 

7 .O 

7.2 

7.0 

8.2 

8.3 

2.8 2.0 

24.0 4.6 3.5 

16.0 4.0 

24.0 4.5 

0.7 0.0 

0.7 0.0 

1 .o 0.5 

1 .o 0.5 

1 .o 0.5 

2.0 1.0 

0.7 0.0 

0.7 0.0 

1 .o 0.5 

0.7 0.0 

1.0 0.5 

2.0 1.5 

1 .o 0.5 

1.4 1 .o 

0.7 0.0 

0.7 0.0 

0.7 0.0 

1 .o 0.5 

0.7 0.0 

0.7 4.5 0.0 

0.7 -0.5 0.0 

1.5 0.6 0.0 

25 3.6 1.8 2.0 

33 

33 

33 

0.7 0.0 

33 

1.0 0.0 1.5 

80 

33 5.0 2.3 2.5 

15 

15 1.4 1 .o 

33 

33 

9.0 3.2 2.5 

25 

NORTH CHI LE 

NORTH CHILE 

NORTH CHILE 

NORTH CHI LE 

NORTH CHILE 

NORTH CHI LE 

NORTH CHI LE 

S. CENTRAL CHI LE 

NORTH CHILE 

PERU 

PERU 

CENTRAL CHILE 

PERU 

NORTH CHILE 

NORTH CHI LE 

NORTH CHI LE 

NORTH CHILE 

NORTH CHI LE 

N. CENTRAL CHI LE 

CENTRAL CHILE 

CENTRAL CHILE 

N. CENTRAL CHILE 

NORTH CHILE 

NORTH CHI LE 

N. CENTRAL CHILE 

NORTH CHILE 

NORTH CHILE 

NORTH CHILE 

S. CENTRAL CHILE 

S. CENTRAL CHILE 

CENTRAL CHILE 

NORTH CHI LE 

N. CENTRAL CHILE 

NORTH CHILE 

CENTRAL CHILE 

CENTRAL CHILE 

NORTH CHI LE 

PERU 

NORTH CHI LE 

NORTH CHI LE 

NORTH CHILE 

PERU 

PERU 

PERU 

PERU 

N. CENTRAL CHI LE 

NORTH CHILE 

N. CENTRAL CHILE 

N. CENTRAL WILE 

S. CENTRAL CHILE 

S. CENTRAL CHILE 

PERU 

N. CENTRAL CHILE 

N. CENTRAL CHI LE 

N. CENTRAL CHILE 

4 

4 

3 

3 

3 

3 

4 

4 

4 

4 

4 

4 

T 9,38 

38 

T 1,5,9,10,31,51 

T 52 

T 9,38 

T 9,38 

T 9,38 

M 9,38 

T 9,38 

T 9,10,38 

TbM? 9 

T 

T 

T 

T 

M 

M 

T 

T 

T 

T 

T 

T 

T 

T 

T 

T 

T 

T 

T 

T 

T 

T 

T 

T 

T 

T 

T 

T 

T 

T 

T 

T 

9.58 

9 

9,38 

9,38 

9,38 

9,38 

9938 

9 

9,38 

9,38 

9,38 

9.38 

9.38 

9,38 

9938 

9,38,51 

9,38 

9,38 

9,38 

9 

9.38,51 

9,38,51 

9,38 

9, 

9,10,20,3 

51 

51 

9,10,13,5 

38 

51 

9,38,51 

51 

,38,51 

1,9,10,38,51 

9,52 

51 

1,9,10,38,51 

38 

9,31 

51 

1,9,10,38 

51 

51 

1,5,10,20,31 

38,51 

8 
TABLE 1. TSUNAMIGENIC EARTHQUAKES OF PERU-CHILE (CONT.) 

1923 02 17 (35.3 

1923 05 04 2227 28.7 

1923 05 07 2227 28.8 

1923 08 12 1211 (18.5 

1925 05 15 1157 26.0 

1926 12 09 2242 28.0 

1927 11 21 2312 44.6 

1928 03 31 (23.6 

1928 04 27 2035 13.0 

1928 07 18 1905 5.5 

1928 11 20 2035 22.5 

1928 12 01 0406 35.0 

1929 08 09 (23.6 

1930 12 28 28.5 

1930 12 29 0326 28.5 

1931 03 18 0802 32.5 

1933 01 23 (20.0 

1933 02 23 0809 20.0 

1934 12 04 1725 19.5 

1936 07 13 24.5 

1936 07 13 1112 24.5 

1939 01 25 0332 36.3 

1939 04 18 0623 27.0 

1940 05 24 1634 10.5 

1940 10 04 0755 22.0 

1940 10 11 1841 41.5 * 1942 08 24 2250 15.0 * 1943 04 06 1607 30.8 

1946 08 02 1919 26.5 

1946 09 30 0100 13.0 

1948 04 06 

1948 12 26 0712 22.5 

1949 04 20 0329 38.0 

1949 12 17 1508 54.0 

1949 12 17 0653 54.0 

1950 01 30 0057 53.5 

1950 12 10 0250 14.6 

1953 02 15 0932 12.0 

1953 05 06 1717 36.5 

1953 12 12 1635 3.5 

1955 04 19 2024 29.9 * 1955 04 19 2024 30.0 

1956 01 08 2054 19.0 

1956 12 18 0231 25.5 

1957 07 29 1715 23.5 

1959 02 07 0937 4.0 

1960 01 13 1541 15.8 

1960 05 21 1002 37.5 

1960 05 22 41 .O 

*<1960 05 22 1911 39.5 

1960 05 22 1033 37.5 

1960 05 22 1911 38.0 

1960 05 22 2333 41.0 

1960 05 24 45.0 

1960 11 01 0846 38.5 

c' a@' *$iT 

\! 

72.4) 

71.7 

71.8 

70.3) 

71 .5 

71 .O 

73 .O 

70.4) 

69.5 

79.0 

70.5 

72.0 

70.4) 

71 .O 

71 .O 

72 .O 

71 .O) 

71 .O 

69.5 

70.5 

70.0 

72.3 

70.5 

77 .O 

71 .O 

74.5 

76.0 

72.0 

70.5 

76.0 

69.0 

73.5 

71 .O 

71 .O 

71.5 

76.3 

77.5 

72.5 

81 .O 

11.6 

72 .O 

70.5 

71 .O 

71.5 

81.5 

72.8 

73.5 

73.5 

74.5 

73.0 

73.5 

73.5 

76.0 

75.1 

1.5 0.6 1.5 CENTRAL CHILE 

7.0 60 N. CENTRAL CHILE 

7.0 60 N. CENTRAL CHILE 

0.7 -0.5 0.0 NORTH CHILE 

7.1 50 NORTH CHI LE 

6.0 1.5 0.6 0.5 N. CENTRAL CHILE 

7.1 33 2.8 1.0 2.0 SOUTH CHILE 

NORTH CHILE 

6.7 PERU 

7.0 33 PERU 

7.1 33 NORTH CHILE 

8.4 25 1.5 0.6 0.5 CENTRAL CHILE 

4.0 2.0 2.5 NORTH CHILE 

6.0 1.0 0.0 N. CENTRAL CHILE 

6.0 1.0 0.0 0.5 N. CENTRAL CHILE 

7.1 33 N. CENTRAL CHILE 

NORTH CH 1 LE 

7.6 40 NORTH CHI LE 

6.9 130 NORTH CHI LE 

1 .o 0.5 NORTH CHILE 

7.3 60 1.0 0.0 NORTH CHILE 

8.3 60 CENTRAL CHI LE 

7.4 100 N. CENTRAL CHILE 

8.4 60 2.0 1.0 1.5 PERU 

7.3 75 NORTH CHILE 

7.0 33 SOUTH CHILE 

8.6 60 2.0 1.0 PERU 

8.3 33 1.0 0.0 0.0 N. CENTRAL CHILE 

7.9 60 NORTH CHI LE 

7.0 70 PERU 

N. CENTRAL CH I LE 

7.0 0.7 -0.5 0.0 NORTH CHILE 

7.3 70 S. CENTRAL CHILE 

7.7 33 0.7 0.0 SOUTH CHILE 

7.7 33 0.7 0.0 SOUTH CHILE 

7.0 33 SOUTH CHI LE 

7.0 80 0.7 0.0 PERU 

5.5 0.7 0.0 PERU 

7.6 60 CENTRAL CHI LE 

7.3 33 0.5 -1.0 0.5 PERU 

7 e0 1.4 1.0 N. CENTRAL CHILE 

7.1 33 1.0 0.0 1.0 N. CENTRAL CHILE 

7.1 55 NORTH CHI LE 

7.0 33 NORTH CHILE 

7.0 33 NORTH CHILE 

7.3 0.2 -2.0 PERU 

7.8 160 5.7 3.0 PERU 

7.3 33 1.0 0.0 -1.0 S. CENTRAL CHILE 

8.5 SOUTH CHI LE 

8.6 33 25.0 4.7 S. CENTRAL CHILE 

8.5 33 11.3 4.5 4.0 S. CENTRAL CHILE 

S. CENTRAL CHILE 

8.5 25 .O SOUTH CHILE 

6.8 SOUTH CHILE 

7.4 55 S. CENTRAL CHILE 

4 

3 

3 

3 

4 

3 

3 

4 

4 

3 

4 

4 

4 

4 

4 

4 

4 

4 

M 

T 

T 

T 

T 

T 

T 

M 

T 

T 

T 

T 

M 

T 

T 

T 

T 

T 

T 

T 

T 

T 

T 

T 

T6 L 

T 

T 

T 

T 

T 

T 

T 

T 

T 

T 

T 

T 

T 

T 

T 

T 

T 

T 

T 

T 

T 

T 

T 

T 

T 

9,38,5 1 

51 

9,38,51 

1,9,10,20,38,51 

9,10,38 

9,10,51 

51 

51 

1,9,3 1,38,51 

9,38,51 

1,9,10,51 

1,10,38 

51 

9 

9,22,38,51 

9,22,38,5 1 

38 

1,9,10,22,51,52 

51 

51 

9,13,38,51 

51 

51 

1,9,10,38,47,51 

1,5,9,10,20,31,38,47,51 

51 

51 

9 

9,38,5 1 

51 

51,38 

51 

51 

9.38 

9,38 

51 

9,10,38 

38 

1,5,9,10,4/,51 

51 

51 

51 

9,10,38 

9,38 

5,9,10,38,47,51 

10 

51 

1,4,5,9,17,47 

38 

9,10 

51 

9 
TABLE 1. TSUNAMIGENIC EARTWUAKES OF PERU-CHILE (CONT.) 

*<1960 11 20 

1961 10 18 

1963 09 24 

1965 02 23 

1965 03 22 

1965 10 03 

1965 11 06 * 1966 10 17 

1966 12 28 

1966 12 28 

1967 09 03 

1967 11 15 

1967 12 21 

1970 06 14 

1970 06 19 

1970 11 28 

1971 04 04 

1971 05 09 

1971 07 09 

1970 05 31 

* 1971 07 09 

1972 06 08 

1972 12 29 

1973 10 05 

1974 06 25 

1974 08 20 

1974 10 03 

1975 03 13 

1975 05 10 

1983 10 04 

1985 03 03 

2202 

1652 

1630 

221 1 

2256 

1615 

092 1 

2142 

0818 

2107 

2132 

0225 

0000 

1056 

1109 

1016 

082 5 

0303 

0303 

1854 

045 1 

0548 

0505 

1044 

1527 

1429 

1852 

2247 

6.8 80.7 

36.7 73.0 

10.6 78.0 

25.7 70.5 

31.9 71.5 

42.9 75.2 

22.2 113.8 

10.7 78.8 

25.5 70.6 

24.1 68.6 

10.6 79.8 

28.7 71.2 

21.7 70.0 

52.0 73.8 

22.2 70.5 

20.9 69.8 

56.2 122.5 

39.8 104.8 

32.5 71.2 

9.2 78.8 

32.5 71.2 

30.5 71.8 

30.6 71.0 

32.9 71.9 

54.6 131.6 

38.4 73.4 

12.3 77.8 

26.0 75.0 

35.7 74.6 

26.5 70.6 

33.2 72.0 

6.8 

6.5 

7.0 

7 .O 

6 .O 

6.5 

6.2 

8.0 

7 .8 

7.6 

7.0 

6.2 

7.5 

6.6 

7.0 

6.0 

6.2 

6.2 

7.5 

6.6 

6.6 

6.6 

6.5 

6.0 

6.1 

7.0 

8.1 

6.7 

7.8 

7.4 

7.8 

93 

15 

80 

80 

58 

31 

100 

40 

32 

40 

15 

33 

10 

52 

33 

33 

33 

58 

58 

39 

60 

14 

37 

36 

13 

15 

SH 

0.7 -0.5 -1.0 

3.0 1.6 1.5 

1.0 0.0 0.5 

0.4 -0.4 

2.0 1.0 1.5 

0.7 -0.5 0.0 

1.2 0.3 

1.8 1 .o 

1.2 0.3 

0.4 -1.0 0.5 

1.8 1.0 

0.2 -2.3 0.2 

1.1 0.1 

PERU 

CENTRAL CHILE 

PERU 

NORTH CHI LE 

N. CENTRAL CHILE 

SOUTH CHI LE 

NORTH CHILE 

PERU 

NORTH CHILE 

NORTH CHILE 

PERU 

N. CENTRAL CHILE 

NORTH CHI LE 

SOUTH CHILE 

NORTH CHI LE 

NORTH CHILE 

SOUTH CHI LE 

S. CENTRAL CHILE 

N. CENTRAL CHILE 

PERU 

N. CENTRAL CHILE 

N. CENTRAL CHlLE 

N. CENTRAL CHILE 

N. CENTRAL CHI LE 

SOUTH CHI LE 

S. CENTRAL CHILE 

PERU 

NORTH CHILE 

S. CENTRAL CHILE 

NORTH CHI LE 

CENTRAL CHILE 

4 

4 

4 

4 

4 

4 

4 

4 

4 

4 

T 

T 

T 

T 

T 

T 

T 

T 

T 

T 

T 

T 

T 

T 

T 

T 

T 

T 

T 

T 

T 

T 

T 

T 

T 

T 

T 

T 

T 

9,10,38 

51 

51 

51 

51 

51 

51 

9,38 

5,9,38,47,51 

10 

9,10,38,47,52 

51 

9,27,38,51 

51 

51 

51 

51 

51 

9.47.51 

9,47 

52 

51 

51 

9,22,27,38,47,51 

51 

51 

5,9,27,47 

51 

51 

45 

35 

EXPLANATION OF TABLE 

* Indicates that the earthquake caused a destructive tsunami. 

< indicates that the tsunami was reported outslde the South American coast. 

() around the latitude and longitude indlcate that the epicenter was derived from the coordinates of a 

clty name given in the reference. 

Event Date: Where the time Is given, the date and time are Universal Time Coordinated (UTC). Where no 

time Is given, the event date is the local date at the source of the tsunaml. 

Earthquake Magnitude: Where more than one value was found In the literature, the largest value Is listed 

In the table. Pre-1900 magnitude values are nonlnstrumental. 

Focal Depth: Measurement Is in kilometers. SH = shallow (depth 70 km or less). 

Runup Height: The maximum water height above sea level. Where more than one value was found In the 

Ilterature, the largest value Is used in the table. If no value was found in the Ilterature, the runup 

helght was approximated from the reported tsunami magnitude or the tsunami Intensity using the formulae 

below (see Tsunami Magnitude and Tsunami Intensity). 

Tsunami Magnitude: M = log2H, where M Is the tsunami magnitude and H Is the maximum runup helght in 

meters, and measured at a coast from 10 km to 250 km from the origin of the tsunami (Cox and others, 

1967). 

Tsunami Intensity: I = iog2(C2)H, where I Is the tsunani intensity and H Is the average height of the 

flood or the average amplitude of the tsunami based on the tide gage records from the given area of coast 

(Solovqev and Go, 1975). 

10 
TABLE 1, TSUNAMIGENIC EARTIQUAKES OF PERU-CHILE (CONT.) 

ExDlanation of Table (Cont.) 

Source Area: 

Peru = 3' S. latitude - ~18' S. latitude; 

North Chlle = 18" S. latitude - (27" S. latitude; 

North Central Chile = 27" S.iatitude - <33' S. latitude; 

Central Chlle = 33' S.latltude - <37" S. latitude; 

South Central Chile = 37' S. latitude - <41° S. latitude; 

South Chlle = 41' S. latitude - 68 S. latitude (see flg. 2). 

Val Idity: Probabll ity of actual tsunaml occurrence is indicated by a numerical rating of the Val idity of 

the reports of that event: 4 = definite tsunaml, 3 = probable tsunami. 

Cause: T = tsunaml; V = volcanic; M = meteorological; L = landslide 

Reference: Numbers correspond to the list of references below and refer to the major references used for 

a particular event. 

1. Bernlnghausen, W,H., 1962: Tsunamis reported from the west coast of South America, 1562-1960, 

Bulletin of the Seismological Soclety of America, voi. 52, p. 915-921. 

Department of Commerce, National Oceanlc and Atmospheric Adminlstratlon. Boulder, Colorado, 43 p. 

Natlonai Oceanlc and Atmospherlc Admlnlstratlon, Boulder, Colorado, 77 p. 

4, Cox, Doak C., and George Pararas-Carayannls, 1976: Catalog of tsunamis in Alaska, Report SE-I, U.S. 

5. Pararas-Carayannls, George, 1977: Catalog of tsunamls In Hawaii, SE-4, U.S. Department of Commerce, 

9. Cox, Doak C., Pacific tsunaml historic flle, U,S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and 

Atmospherlc Adminlstratlon, Boulder, Colorado, unpubllshed manuscript. 

10. Cox, Doak C., Kumizi I Ida, dnd George Pararas-Carayannls, 1967: Prel iminary catalog of tsunamls 

occurrlng In the Paclflc Ocean, Unlverslty of Hawaii, Honolulu, 274 p. 

20. Heck, N.H., 1947: Llst of seismic sea uaves, Bul letin of the Selsmologlcal Soclety of America, vol. 

37, p. 269-286. 

22. Hlleman, James A., Clarence R. Allen, and John M. Nordquist, 1973: Seismiclty of the Southern 

California Region, 1 Jan. 1932 to 31 Dec. 1972, Selsmologlcal Laboratory, California Institute of 

Technology, Pasadena, 490 p. 

27. International Tsunami Information Center, 1968-76: ITlC Newsletter, publlshed quarterly, Honolulu, 

Hawa i I. 

31. Lomnltz, Cinna, 1970: Major earthquakes and tsunamis In Chlle during the perlod 1535 to 1955, 

Geologishe Rundschau international, vol. 59, No. 3, p. 938-960, 

35, U.S. Geological Survey, 1985: Preliminary Determination of Epicenters, publlshed monthly, Washlngton, 

D.C. 

38. Soiovlev, S.L. and Ch.N. Go, 1975: A catalogue of tsunamls of the eastern shore of the Pacific 

Ocean, Academy of Sciences of the USSR, "Nauka" Publishing House, Moscow, 202 p. 

45. Paclflc Tsunami Warnlng Center, Tsunami Warnlng Log, issued Irregularly, Honolulu, Hawaii. 

47 U,S. Department of Commerce and U.S. Department of the Interior, 1944-81: Unlted States Earthquakes, 

publlshed annually, Washlngton, O.C. 

51. lnstltuto Hidrograflco de la Armada, 1982: Marmtos en la costa de Chile, Valparalso, Chile, 48 p. 

52. Listlng that contains correctlons and additions furnished by the instltuto Hidrografico de la Armada, 

Vaiparalso, Chile. 

11 
, 

-- --- -- .- 

I' ' 

, 

I 

I 

I 

1 

t I880 

75' 7 

._ '\ 

I PERU '--, (3's- <18OS) I *--.__,---_ '__--.__* 

I-- 

_--- --I 

--e -- 

I 

I 

I 

I 

I 

--- 

I 

I 

I 

I 

---__ .'I , ,' I '. *' I --___< 

I 

I 

I 

I 

I .- 

I 

, 

, 

I 

, 

I 

I 

I 

I 

I 

FIGURE 3. EPICENTERS OF TSUNAMIGENIC EARTHQUAKES OF PERU 

[NUMBERS REFER TO EVENT NO. IN TABLE 2.1 

12 
PERU 

C3" S. - <18" S.] 

Three regions, each having a different seismic potential, exist in Peru. The 

first region extends from 3" S. to <9" S. latitude; the second from 9" S. to 

(15" S. latitude; and the third from near 15' S. to (18" S. latitude. 

Region from 3" S. - <9" S. 

This part of the Peru-Chile trench is consuming the Carnegie Ridge, an aseismic 

feature (McCann, 1979). The interaction between the Carnegie Ridge and the subduction zone may explain the fact that only three tsunamigenic earthquakes have 

been reported in this area (table 2). One of these, the Nov. 20, 1960, event 

(mag. 6.8) caused considerable damage along the Peru coast. Although an earthquake of magnitude >8.0 has not occurred in this area, earthquakes of lower 

magnitude have the potential to produce damaging tsunamis. 

Region from 9" S. - <15"S. 

This region has a history of ''great" earthquakes (those of mag. 8 or larger); 

however, the length of the rupture zone has historically been 150 km or less. 

Eight such earthquakes have produced tsunamis on this section of the Peru coast. 

An area near 12" S. was the site of a large earthquake in 1974. This earthquake 

generated a tsunami that was recorded, but was not destructive, in Hawaii and 

Cal i forni a. Havi ng ruptured recently, thi s region probably has a low sei smi c 

potenti a1 (McCann, 1979). 

Region from 15" S. - <18" S. 

A change in the seismicity pattern occurs near 15" S. latitude. Here, a collision of the Nazca Ridge with the Peru-Chile trench appears to be responsible for 

a tear in the descending Nazca Plate (McCann, 1979). The following tsunamigenic 

earthquakes have occurred in the Peru-North Chile area: a magnitude 8.5 event 

at 17' S. latitude in 1604, a large earthquake at 18.6" S. latitude in 1705, a 

magnitude 8.5 event at 18.6" S. latitude in 1868, and a magnitude 8.3 event at 

19.6" S. latitude in 1877. Since a large-magnitude event has not occurred in 

this area since 1877, a seismic gap exists in the region from South Peru to 

North Chile (15" S. to 23" S. latitude). This region is known to have the 

potential to produce large earthquakes (mag. 8.0 - 8.5) and damaging tsunamis in 

the future. 

Table 2 lists the tsunamigenic earthquakes that have occurred in Peru, together 

with information about the tsunamis they produced. (See table 1 for alternate 

data, erroneous dates, and events that appeared in the literature but are not 

believed to have been tsunamis.) The data included in table 2 are believed to 

be the most accurate available. Of the 34 events listed, 10 were damaging 

locally and five were reported in areas of the Pacific outside the west coast of 

South America. Nineteen of the events are given a "3" (probable) or a "4" (definite) validity rating, but the validity of the remaining events is uncertain. 

The events listed in table 2 are plotted on a map of Peru in figure 3. 

13 
TABLE 2. TSUNAMIGENIC EARTHQUAKES OF PERU 

EVENT EVENT 

NO. DATE 

YEAR MO DA 

4 *<I586 07 09 

5 * 1604 11 24 

8 * 1647 05 07 

12 *<1687 10 20 

15 1725 03 27 

I8 *<1746 IO 28 

20 1806 12 01 

29 1847 05 23 

35 I860 04 23 

36 * 1865 01 08 

39 1868 IO 02 

45 1869 aB 19 

48 1871 08 21 

68 1908 12 12 

71 1913 07 28 

72 1913 08 06 

73 * 1914 01 12 

74 1914 02 26 

78 1922 01 06 

87 1928 04 27 

88 1928 07 18 

98 1940 05 24 

101 * 1942 08 24 

104 1946 09 30 

110 1950 12 IO 

111 1953 U2 15 

113 1953 12 12 

118 1960 01 13 

122 *<I960 11 20 

124 1963 09 24 

128 * 1966 IO 17 

130 1967 09 03 

134 1970 05 31 

142 1974 10 03 

TIME 

- 

1613 

1208 

0539 

2214 

0458 

141 1 

2035 

19 05 

1634 

225 C 

01 oc 

025c 

0932 

1635 

1541 

22 02 

163C 

2142 

2107 

~~ 

NOTE: * Indicates that 

-- EARTHQUAKE DATA 

LAT. LONG. TUDE DEPT 

(KM) 

S. W. MAGNIe 0 

12.2 77.7 

17.0 72.0 

14.2 75.7) 

13.5 76.5 

16.6 72.7) 

12.0 77.0 

12.1 77.1) 

12.1 77.1) 

12.0 77.1) 

12.0 77.1) 

17.0 72.5 

16.0 73.5 

13.0 77.0 

14.0 78.0 

17.0 74.0 

17.0 74.0 

12.0 76.6 

17.9 67.0 

16.5 73.0 

13.0 69.5 

5.5 79.0 

10.5 77.0 

15.0 76.0 

13.0 76.0 

14.6 76.3 

12.0 77.5 

3.5 81.0 

15.8 72.8 

6.8 80.7 

10.6 78.0 

10.7 78.8 

10.6 79.8 

9.2 78.8 

12.3 77.8 

8.5 

8.5 

8.5 

8.0 

6.5 

7.0 

8.2 

7.0 

7.9 

7.2 

6.7 

7.0 

8.4 

8.6 

7.0 

5.5 

7.3 

7.8 

6.8 

7.0 

8.0 

6.6 

8.1 

7.2 

7.0 

7.0 

33 

33 

33 

33 

60 

60 

70 

80 

33 

I6 0 

93 

80 

40 

40 

43 

13 

TSUNAMI DATA 

RUNUP TUDE INTENSITY VALIDIT 

MAGN I - 

(M) 

24.0 

16.0 

2.8 

8.0 

2.0 

24.0 

1 .o 

2.0 

2.0 

1 .o 

2.0 

2.0 

0.7 

0.7 

1 .o 

2.0 

2.0 

0.7 

0.7 

0.5 

5.7 

1.2 

3.0 

2.0 

1.8 

1.8 

4.0 

4.0 

4.6 

1.0 

0.0 

1.0 

1.0 

-1.0 

1.6 

1.0 

1.0 

1.0 

4 

3.5 4 

2.0 3 

3.5 4 

1.5 

3.5 4 

0.5 3 

1.5 

0.0 3 

1.5 3 

0.5 

1.0 

0.0 

1.5 4 

4 

1.5 3 

3 

0.0 

0.0 

0.5 4 

3.0 4 

1.0 4 

I .5 4 

1.5 4 

4 

4 

'he earthquake caused a destructive tsunami. 

REFERENCES 

9,10,38 

38 

9,10,38 

9,38 

9,38 

9,10,38 

9,10,38 

38 

9,10,38 

9,38 

9,38 

1,9, I 0,38 

1,9,10,38 

51 

9,38,5 1 

51 

1,9,10,38,5 1 

9.52 

51 

9,10,51 

51 

9,13,38,51 

1,9,10,38,47,5 1 

51 

9,38 

9,38 

9,10,38 

9,38 

9,10,38 

51 

9.38 

9,47 

9,10,38,47,52 

5,9,27,47 

< Indicates that the tsunaml was reported outside the South American coast. 

(1 Parentheses around the latitude and longitude indicate that the epicenter was derived from 

the coordinates of a city nae given In the reference. 

See footnotes at end of table 1 for explanation of column headings. 

14 
The literature gives some information about the size of the tsunami for twothirds (26) of the events in table 2. The size may have been indicated by a 

tsunami magnitude, a tsunami intensity, or a measured or estimated runup height. 

Of the 26 events that had such information, only six had reported runup heights 

of less than 1 meter. The reason that some events that had significant runup 

heights were not considered to be probable tsunamis is that they do not clearly 

fit the definition of a tsunami described in the introduction to this report. 

Figure 4 shows the frequency of occurrence of the tsunamigenic earthquakes for 

each degree of Peru's coastline. Shaded areas indicate the number of tsunamigenic earthquakes that caused damage. 

Table 3 lists the dates of 19 tsunamis that were generated in Peru and the 

cities that reported each event. If a value is not given for the runup height 

and an "X" does not appear in the damage column, then the reporting city or 

region was given in the literature but descriptive effect information was not 

given. Figures 5-9 show graphically the extent of the coastline affected by 

five events listed in table 3. Modern methods of reporting and measuring runup 

heights have greatly expanded the amount of data available for more recent tsunamis. Tsunamis originating in Peru have been reported on two occasions as far 

south as Tal cahuano, Chi 1 e. 

Of all the tsunamis listed in table 3, that on October 17, 1966, was the most 

damaging and affected the largest extent of South American coastline (fig. 9). 

The largest runup height (24 meters) was reported from Callao, Peru, as result 

of the tsunami on October 28, 1746. Only rubble remained where the town once 

stood, according to the literature. 

Table 4 gives dates of seven tsunamis generated in Peru and the names of towns 

outside the Peru-Chile coastal area that reported the events. Peru tsunamis 

have repeatedly been reported in the Northwest and Northeast Pacific, but seldom 

in the Southern Pacific Basin. Interestingly, Japan observed four of the seven 

events. The tsunamis in 1586 and 1687 that were reported in Japan were undoubtedly experienced elsewhere, but accounts that these tsunamis affected other 

countries could not be found. Maps showing the extent of the effects of the 

tsunamis of 1586, 1687, 1746, and 1960 are given in figures 10 and 11. 

Table 5 is a summary of damage and number of deaths caused by tsunamis in Peru. 

More than 600 people have been killed by tsunamis in Peru, and Callao has been 

destroyed at least three times (1586, 1687, and 1746). Tsunamis occurring in 

this century appear to be less damaging than those in the 19th century. But 

when the increase in population in the area and the length of time since a 

devastating tsunami has struck Southern Peru are considered, the potential for 

destruction in the future is apparent. 

Table 6 lists the names of cities in Peru that have reported tsunamis, the dates 

of the tsunamis, the runirp heights, and whether damage occurred. The table 

shows that Callao has reported 18 tsunamis, seven of which have been damaging. 

Figure 12, a bar graph of the data in table 6, shows the number of tsunamis per 

degree of coastline. Although most of the serious effects reported in Peru have 

resulted from Peru-generated tsunamis, earthquakes in North Chile have also 

generated tsunamis that reportedly damaged property in this area. There also 

are reports of tsunamis from sources outside South America (Alaska and 

Kamchatka), but none of these was damaging. 

15 
PERU 

(3"s- <18OS) 

FIGURE 4. NUMBER OF TSUNAMIGENIC EARTHQUAKES PER DEGREE 

OF PERUVIAN COASTL I NE 

16 
115' 110' 11 

FIGURE 5. AREA OF PERU-CHILE COAST AFFECTED 

BY PERU TSUNAMI OF NOV. 24, 1604 

115' 110" 3 105' 100' 95' I 90' 85" , 80' 75' I 70' 1 

, 5' 

lo' 

IS 

2(r 

25' 

30' 

35' 

40- 

45' 

50" 

55" 

FIGURE 6. AREA OF PERU-CHILE COAST AFFECTED 

BY PERU TSUNAMI OF OCT. 20, 1687 
FIGURE 7. AREA OF PERU-CHILE COAST AFFECTED 

BY PERU TSUNAMI OF OCT. 28, 1746 

FIGURE 8. AREA OF PERU-CHILE COAST AFFECTED 

BY PERU TSUNAMI OF NOV. 20, 1960 
TA 

75" 

FIGURE 9. AREA OF PERU-CHILE COAST AFFECTED 

BY PERU TSUNAMI OF OCT. 17, 1966 

19 

70" 
1 

FIGURE 10. AREAS OUTSIDE PERU-CHILE REPORTING TSUNAMIS OF 

JULY 9, 1586; OCT. 20, 1687; AND OCT. 28, 1746 

20 
I 

N 

PERU 

(3"s- <18*S) 

Destructive 

Tsu n a m i s 

I2O 

I4O 

I6O 

18' 

I 3 5 7 9 II 13 15 17 19 21 

FIGURE 12. NUMBER OF REPORTED OBSERVATIONS OF TSUNAMI 

EFFECTS PER DEGREE OF PERUVIAN COASTLINE 

21 
TABLE 3. EFFECTS IN PERU-CHILE OF TSUNAMIS GENERATED IN PERU 

S. w. 

EVENT DATE COUNTRY REPORTING CITY OR REGION LAT. LONG. RUNUP DAMAGE 0 0 YEAR MO DA (M 1 

1586 07 09 

1604 1 1 24 

1647 05 07 

1687 10 20 

1725 03 27 

1746 10 28 

1860 04 23 

1865 01 08 

1868 10 02 

1913 07 28 

1914 01 12 

1942 M 24 

1950 12 10 

1953 02 15 

1953 12 12 

1960 01 13 

1960 11 20 

PERU 

PERU 

PERU 

PERU 

PERU 

CHI LE 

CH I LE 

PERU 

PERU 

CHI LE 

PERU 

PERU 

PERU 

PERU 

PERU 

PERU 

PERU 

PERU 

PERU 

PERU 

PERU 

PERU 

CHI LE 

PERU 

PERU 

CHILE 

CHI LE 

PERU 

PERU 

PERU 

PERU 

PERU 

PERU 

PERU 

PERU 

PERU 

PERU 

PERU 

PERU 

PERU 

PERU 

PERU 

PERU 

PEW 

PERU 

CALLAO 

CALLAO 

PI sco 

CAMANA 

I LO 

MICA 

CONCEPC I ON 

CALLAO 

cusco (CUZCO) 

ARICA 

CHANCAY 

CALLAO 

SAN VINCENTE DE CANETE 

CH I NCHA I SLANOS 

PI sco 

AREQU I PA 

CAMANA 

GUANAPE 

SANTA 

CHANCAY 

CALLAO 

PI sco 

CONCEPC I ON 

CAL LAO 

CALLAO 

TALCAHUANO 

MOLLENW 

CALLAO (LA PUNTA) 

CAL LAO 

LOMAS 

MATARAN I 

PI sco 

CHANCAY 

TALARA 

ANCON 

TALARA 

PIMENTEL 

PUERTO ETEN 

CH IMBOTE 

CAL LAO 

SANTA ROSA 

SAN JOSE 

LOBOS DE AFUERA ISLANDS 

SAN JUAN 

MATARAN I 

12.08 

12.08 

13.77 

16.63 

17.70 

18.48 

36.83 

12.08 

13.53 

18.48 

11.60 

12.08 

13.10 

13.65 

13.77 

16.40 

16.63 

8.53 

8.95 

11.60 

12.08 

13.77 

36 .83 

12.08 

12.08 

36.67 

17 .OO 

12.08 

12.08 

15.55 

17.00 

13.77 

11.60 

4.58 

11.78 

4.58 

6.85 

6.92 

9.08 

12.08 

14.63 

14.72 

15.36 

17 .OO 

77.13 24 .O X 

77.13 

76.70 

72.48 

71.33 

70.33 

73.05 

77.13 

71.95 

70.33 

77.23 

77.13 

76.38 

76.40 

76.70 

71.55 

72.48 

78.98 

78.62 

77.23 

77.13 24 .O 

76.70 

73.05 

77.13 

77.13 

73.17 

72.00 

77.13 

77.13 

74.83 

72.12 

76.70 

77.23 

81.42 

77.1 1 

81.42 

79.88 

79 .83 

78.60 

77.13 

70.75 

70.22 

75.12 

72.12 

1.6 

2.0 

0.5 

0.5 

1.2 

9.0 

9.0 

0.6 

2.2 

0.3 

0.4 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

22 
TABLE 3. EFFECTS IN PERU-CHILE OF TSUNAMIS GENERATED IN PERU (CONT.) 

S. W. 

EVENT DATE COUNTRY REPORTING CITY ON REGION LAT. LONG. RUNUP DAMAGE 

YEAR MO DA (M 1 D 0 

1966 10 17 PERU 

PERU 

PERU 

PERU 

PERU 

PERU 

PERU 

PERU 

PERU 

PERU 

PERU 

CH I LE 

CHI LE 

CH I LE 

CHI LE 

PERU 

1974 10 13 PERU 

TORTUGA 1. (GALAPAGOS IS.) 1.00 

TALARA 4.58 

lRUJ I LLO 8.10 

CH IMBOTE 9.08 

CASMA 9.50 

CULEBRAS 9.88 

HUACHO 11.23 

ANCON 11.78 

CALLA0 (LA PUNTA) 12.08 

SAN JUAN 15.37 

MATARAN I 17 .OO 

HUARA 

VALPARAISO 

TALCAHUANO 

LEBU 

PUERTO-CH IMU 

20 .oo 

33.08 

36.67 

37.62 

CAL LAO 12.08 

90.92 

81.42 

79.00 

78.60 

78.30 

78.22 

77.58 

77.1 1 

77.13 

75.12 

72.12 

69.75 

71.67 

73.17 

73.72 

77.13 

3.0 

0.1 

3.0 

-1 .o 

2.1 

0.3 

0 -4 

0.4 

0.3 

0.3 

1.8 

TABLE 4. EFFECTS OUTSIDE PERU-CHILE QF TSUNAMIS GENERATED IN PERU 

LONG. RUNUP PACIFIC 0 (MI QUAORANT 

EVENT DATE COUNTRY REPORTING CITY LAT . YEAR MO DA OR STATE OR REGION 

1586 07 09 JAPAN 

1687 10 20 JAPAN 

JAPAN 

1746 10 28 MEXICO 

1953 12 12 ECUADOR 

1960 11 20 HAWAl I 

JAPAN 

JAPAN 

JAPAN 

JAPAN 

JAPAN 

1966 10 17 HAWAII 

HAWAl I 

CAL I FORN I A 

JAPAN 

JAPAN 

JAPAN 

1974 10 03 HAWAl I 

HAWAl I 

HAWAl I 

CAL IFORN IA 

PAC1 F IC 

AM. SAMOA 

MlYAGl (NE. HONSHU) 

NE. HONSHU 

OK I NAWA 

ACAPULCO 

LA LIBERTAD 

HI LO 

HACH I NOHE 

ONAHAMA 

HAKODATE 

KUSH I I RO 

AYUKAWAHAMA 

HlLO 

KAHULU I 

CRESCENT CITY 

OFUNATO 

HAKODATE 

HACH I NOHE 

HI LO 

KAHULU I 

MI DWAY I SLAND 

CRESCENT CITY 

WAKE ISLAND 

PAGO PAGO 

(38.25 

26.50 

16.85 

-2.20 

19.70 

33.10 

36.95 

41.77 

42.97 

(38.50 

19.70 

20.93 

41.76 

39.07 

41.77 

40.50 

19.70 

20.93 

28.22 

41.76 

19.30 

-14.27 

141 .OO) 

128 .oo 

- 99.92 

- 80.92 

-155.07 

139.78 

140.90 

140.72 

144.40 

141.50) 

-155.07 

-156.48 

- 124.22 

4 1.72 

40.72 

4 1.50 

55.07 

56.48 

77.37 

24.22 

166.62 

-171.72 

2.0 

0.1 

0.1 

0.25 

0.15 

0.16 

0.34 

0.27 

0.37 

0.06 

0.24 

0.15 

0.38 

0.37 

0.37 

0.06 

0.15 

0.06 

0.30 

NW. PACIFIC 

NW. PACIFIC 

NW. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

SE. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

NW. PACIFIC 

W. PACIFIC 

NW. PACIFIC 

NW. PACIFIC 

NW. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

NW. PACIFIC 

NW. PACIFIC 

NW. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

NW. PACIFIC 

SW. PACIFIC 

23 
TABLE 5. SUMMARY OF DAMAGE AND NMBER OF DEATHS CAUSED BY PERUVIAN TSUNAMIS 

NO. OF 

EVENT DATE REPORTING CITY OR REGION EFFECTS DEATHS 

YEAR MO DA I_- -- 

1586 07 03 

1604 11 24 

1647 05 07 

1687 10 20 

1746 10 P 

1865 01 OB 

1914 01 12 

1942 OB 24 

1960 11 20 

1966 10 17 

CALLAO, PERU 

ARICA AREA, CHILE 

CAMANA, PERU 

CONCEPC I ON, CH I LE 

ARICA, CHILE 

CALLAO, PERU 

CALL \O , PERU 

CHPCAY, GUANAPE, PISCO, 

At2 SANTA, PERU 

CALLAO, PERU 

CALLAO, PERU 

LOHAS, PERU 

LOBOS DE AFUERA ISLANDS 

SANTA ROSA, PUERTO ETEN, 

PIMENTAL, AND SAN JOSE, PERU 

CASMA, PERU 

CULEBRAS, PUERTO-CHIMU, 

HUARA, TRU J I LLO, ANCON, 

AND TORTUGA, PERU 

AND HUACHO, PERU 

DESTRUCTION REACHED 250 METERS INLAND 

CITY INUNDATED AND DESTROYED 34 

WATER DESTROYED ALL IN ITS PATH 40 

HONASTERY FLOODED 

200,000 FRANCS DAMAGE 14 

ClTY SUBMERGED 5 00 

TOWN INUNDATED AND DESTROYED MANY 

TOWNS DESTROYED 

MANY 

BATH HOUSE WASHED AWAY 5 

HOTELS FLOODED 

SETTLEMENT FLOODED 

ISLANDS DEVASTATED 

DAMAGE 

3 

$2 MI LLION DAMAGE 

SERIOUS DAMAGE 

TOWNS PARTIALLY FLOODED 

TABLE 6. CITIES AND AREAS ALONG COAST OF PERU THAT REPORTED TSUNAMIS 

FROM ALL SOURCE REGIONS 

S. W. 

EVENT DATE SOURCE REPORTING CITY OR REGION LAT. LONG. RUNUP DAMAGE 

YEAR MO DA IN PERU (M) 0 0 

- 

1966 10 17 

1877 05 10 

1953 12 12 

1959 02 07 

1960 11 20 

1946 04 01 

1957 03 09 

1964 03 27 

1966 10 17 

1877 05 10 

1960 11 20 

1960 11 20 

1877 05 10 

1868 08 13 

1877 05 10 

1877 05 10 

1868 08 13 

1966 10 17 

1877 05 10 

1746 10 28 

1746 10 28 

1877 05 10 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~~~ 

PERU TORTUGA I ., GALAPAGOS IS. 

N. CHILE TUMBES 

PERU TALARA 

PERU TALARA 

PERU TALARA 

ALEUT I ANS TALARA 

ALEUTIANS TALARA 

ALASKA TALARA 

PERU TALARA 

N. CHILE PIMENTEL 

PERU PI MENTEL 

PERU PUERTO ETEN 

N. CHILE PACASMAYO 

N. CHILE TAMBO 

N. CHILE TAMBO 

N. CHILE HUANCHACO 

N. CHILE TRUJILLO 

PERU TRU J I LLO 

N. CHILE SALAVERRY 

PERU GUANAPE 

PERU SANTA 

N. CHILE SANTA 

1 .oo 

3.62 

4.58 

4.58 

4.58 

4.58 

4.58 

4.58 

4.58 

6.85 

6.85 

6.92 

7.45 

7.58 

7.58 

8.05 

8.10 

8.10 

8.23 

8.53 

8.95 

8.95 

90.92 

80.45 

81.42 

81.42 

81 -42 

81 -42 

81.42 

81.42 

8 1.42 

79.88 

79.88 

79 083 

79.55 

78.70 

78.70 

78.10 

79 . 00 

79.00 

78 -92 

78.98 

78.62 

78.62 

3.0 

0.5 

1.2 

0.5 

0 8 

1 .o 

0.1 

9.0 

9.0 

X 

X 

X 

X 

4 .O 

X 

X 

3.0 

0.8 

X 

X 

3.0 

24 
TABLE 6. CITIES AND AREAS ALONG THE COAST OF PERU THAT REPORTED TSUNAMIS 

FROM ALL SOURCE REGIONS (CONT.) 

S. W. 

EVENT DATE SOURCE REPORTING CITY OR REGION LAT. LONG. RUNUP DAMAGE 

YEAR MO DA IN PERU (MI 0 0 

1877 05 IO 

1960 11 20 

1966 10 17 

1877 05 IO 

1868 08 13 

1877 05 IO 

1966 IO 17 

1966 IO 17 

1877 05 IO 

1966 10 17 

1877 05 10 

1687 IO 20 

1746 IO 28 

1953 02 15 

1877 05 10 

1960 01 13 

1966 IO 17 

1586 07 09 

1604 11 24 

1647 05 07 

1687 10 20 

1730 07 08 

1746 IO 28 

1751 05 25 

1860 04 23 

1865 01 08 

1868 08 13 

1877 05 10 

1914 01 12 

1922 11 11 

1942 08 24 

1946 04 01 

1952 11 05 

1957 03 09 

1960 1 1 20 

1964 03 27 

1966 10 17 

1974 IO 03 

1687 10 20 

1835 02 20 

1647 05 07 

1687 10 20 

1868 08 13 

1877 05 10 

1604 11 24 

1687 IO 20 

1746 10 28 

1868 08 13 

1877 05 IO 

1950 12 09 

1960 11 20 

1960 11 20 

1960 11 20 

1966 10 17 

1942 08 24 

1868 08 13 

1877 05 IO 

N. CHILE CHIMBOTE 

PERU CH IMBOTE 

PERU CH IMBOTE 

N. CHILE SAMANCO 

N. CHILE CASMA 

N. CHILE CASMA 

PERU CASMA 

PERU CULEBRAS 

N. CHILE SUPE 

PERU HUACHO 

N. CHILE SALINAS (PTA) 

PERU CHANCAY 

PERU CHANCAY 

PERU CHANCAY 

N. CHILE ANCON 

PERU ANCON 

PERU ANCON 

PERU CALLAO 

PERU CALLAO 

PERU CAL LAO 

PERU CALLAO 

NC. CHILE CALLAO 

PERU CAL LAO 

C. CHILE CALLAO 

PERU CAL LAO 

PERU CAL LAO 

N. CHILE CALLAO 

N. CHILE CALLAO 

PERU CALLAO (LA PUNTA) 

NC. CHILE CALLAO 

PERU CALLAO 

ALEUTIANS CALLAO 

KAMCHATKA CALLAO 

ALEUTIANS CALLAO 

PERU CAL LAO 

ALASKA CALLAO 

PERU CALLAO (LA PUNTA) 

PERU CALLAO 

PERU SAN VICENTE DE CANETE 

C. CHILE SAN VICENTE DE CANETE 

PERU cusco (CUZCo) 

PERU CH I NCHA ISLANDS 

N. CHILE 

N. CHILE 

PERU 

PERU 

PERU 

N. CHILE 

N. CHILE 

PERU 

PERU 

PERU 

PERU 

PERU 

CHI NCHA ISLANDS 

CH I NCHA ISLANDS 

PI sco 

PI sco 

P I sco 

PlSCo 

PlSCO 

PI sco 

SANTA ROSA 

SAN JOSE 

SAN JUAN 

SAN JUAN 

PERU LOMAS 

N. CHILE CHALA 

N. CHILE CHALA 

9.08 

9.08 

9.08 

9.22 

9.50 

9.50 

9.50 

9.88 

10.82 

11.23 

11.33 

11.60 

1 1.60 

11.60 

11.78 

1 I .78 

11.78 

12.08 

12.08 

12.08 

12.08 

12.08 

12.08 

12.08 

12.08 

12.08 

12.08 

12.08 

12.08 

12.08 

12.08 

12.08 

12.08 

12.08 

12.08 

12.08 

12.08 

12.08 

13.10 

13.10 

13.53 

13.65 

13.65 

13.65 

13.77 

13.77 

13.77 

13.77 

13.77 

13.77 

14.63 

14.72 

15.36 

15.37 

15.55 

15.85 

15.85 

78 -60 

78.60 

78.60 

78.55 

78.30 

78.30 

78.30 

78.22 

77.67 

77.58 

78.50 

77.23 

77.23 

77.23 

77.11 

77.1 1 

77.1 1 

77.13 

77.13 

77.13 

77.13 

77.13 

77. I3 

77.13 

77.13 

77.13 

77.13 

77.13 

77. I3 

77.13 

77.13 

77.13 

77.13 

77. I3 

77.13 

77.13 

77.13 

77.13 

76.38 

76.38 

71.95 

76.40 

76.40 

76.40 

76.70 

76.70 

76.70 

76.70 

76.70 

76.70 

70.75 

70.22 

75.12 

75.12 

74.83 

74.22 

74.22 

2.0 

0.6 

1 .o 

3.5 

2.5 

2.0 

X 

X 

6.0 

6 .O 

X 

X 

1.5 

24 .O 

24 .O 

4-0 

3.0 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

2.4 

I .6 

0.6 

0.3 

0.3 

2.2 

2.0 

2.1 

1.8 

X 

X 

3 .O 

X 

X 

X 

3.0 

X 

X 

0.3 

0.3 

2.0 

15.0 

3 .O 

X 

X 

25 
TABLE 6. CITIES AND AREAS ALONG THE COAST OF PERU THAT REPORTED TSUNAMIS 

FRCN ALL SOURCE REGIONS (CONT.) 

S. W. 

REPORTING CITY OR REGION LAT. LONG. RUNUP DAMAGE 0 0 (M) 

EVENT DATE SOURCE 

YEAR MO DA IN PERU 

1687 10 20 PERU AREQU I PA 16.40 71.55 

1604 11 24 PERU CAMANA 16.63 72.48 X 

1725 03 27 PERU CAMANA 16.63 72.48 

1868 08 13 N. CHILE MOLLENDO 17.00 72.00 X 

1877 05 10 N. CHILE MOLLENDO 17.00 72.00 3.0 X 

1913 07 28 PERU MOLLENDO 17.00 72.00 

1942 08 24 PERU MATARAN I 17.00 72.12 0.5 

1946 04 01 ALEUTIANS MATARAN I 17.00 72.12 0.5 

1957 03 09 ALEUTIANS MATARAN I 17.00 72.12 0.8 

1960 11 20 PERU MATARAN I 17.00 72.12 0.4 

1964 03 27 ALASKA MATARAN I 17.00 72.12 1 .o 

1966 10 17 PERU MATARAN I 17.00 72.12 0.4 

1868 08 13 N. CHILE I SLAY 

1877 05 10 N. CHILE ISLAY 

1604 11 24 PERU I LO 

1868 08 13 N. CHILE I LO 

1877 05 10 N. CHILE I LO 

17.03 72.10 12.0 

17.03 72.10 3.0 

17.70 71.33 

17.70 71.33 X 

17.70 71.33 6.0 X 

26 
NORTH CHILE 

[18" S. - (27" S.] 

Northern Chile can be separated into three distinct seismic regions. The 

northernmost region comprises the area between 18" S. and 20" S. latitude; the 

second region includes the area between 20" S. and 22" S. latitude; and the 

third region includes the area between 22" S. and 27" S. latitude. 

Bia Bend Area. 18" S. - <ZOO S. 

The northernmost region, sometimes called the "big bend" area in the South 

American c o a s t l i n e , has a history of destructive earthquakes and tsunamis. It 

is characterized by a rather steeply dipping seismic zone and a high concentration of Neocene volcanism (McCann, 1979). Also in this region is the 

Range Fault, which intersects the coastl i ne at the Chi 1 e-Peru border--the terminus of the Central Chilean Valley (Lomitz, 1970). Great earthquakes in 1604 

(Southern Peru), 1705, 1868, and 1877 destroyed Arica (located at 18.5" S. latitude) as well as other coastal towns, and generated Pacific-wide tsunamis that 

were destructive. Studies of the source areas of major historical tsunamis in 

this region shows that they tend to line up along the Peru-Chile trench (Hatori, 

1983). 

Two major tsunamis of the 19th century (1868 and 1877) occurred in this area. 

They were reported throughout the Pacific Basin, and were damaging in Hawaii, 

Japan, New Zealand, and several islands in the South Pacific Ocean. Of the two 

events, that in 1868 appears to have been the most damaging both locally and in 

areas outside South America. 

A seismic gap exists in the region from South Peru to North Chile (15" S. to 23" 

S. latitude), where a tsunamigenic earthquake has not occurred since that in 

1877. The scanty earthquake history of this "big bend" region suggests the 

recurrence interval for "great" tsunamigenic earthquakes may be as long as 200 

years, and so this area may continue to accumulate tectonic strain for another 

century before a great tremor occurs. Even so, this region has the highest 

seismic and tsunamigenic potential of any region along the coast of South 

America, and therefore should be monitored careful ly (McCann, 1979). 

Region from 20" S. - <22" S. 

The second region in North Chile lies between 20" S. and 22' S. latitude. Here, 

the Central Chilean Valley is well developed, and earthquakes have occurred both 

offshore and on the Range Fault. The offshore earthquakes have produced several 

tsunamis, but none has been destructive. 

Region from 22" S. - <27" S. 

The Province of Antofagasta includes much intermediate-depth activity, but lacks 

major shallow shocks (Lomitz, 1970) of the type that generates destructive tsunamis. The largest events in this area occurred on Dec. 4, 1918, and on Dec. 

28, 1966. Both were magnitude 7.8 earthquakes, but only the 1918 event gener21 
0 

.. 25' - 

0 143 

FIGURE 13. 

6 

\ 

\ 

I 

\ 

\ 

I 

I 

I 

\ / 

\ 

I 

\ I 

-----< 

/ 

/ 

/ 

\ 

I 

I 

I 

I 

I 

- - c 

, 

r 

, 

0 0 

I 

\ 

JI 

I 

I 

\ 

I 

I 

\ 

\ 

\ 

\ 

/ 

I 

I 

J 

EPICENTERS OF TSUNAMIGENIC EARTHQUAKES OF NORTH CHILE 

[NUMBERS REFER TO EVENT NO. IN TABLE 7.1 

28 
ated a damaging tsunami. 

reported in the coastal region between 20" S. and 27"s. latitude. 

No tsunamigenic earthquake of magnitude - >8.0 has been 

Table 7 lists the tsunamigenic earthquakes of North Chile, and gives other data 

about the tsunamis they produced (see table 1 for alternate data, erroneous 

dates, and events that appeared in the literature but are not believed to have 

been tsunamis). The data included in table 7 are believed to be the most 

accurate available. Of the 44 events listed, five were damaging locally and two 

were reported in areas of the Pacific outside the west coast of South America. 

Ten of the events have a validity rating of "4," indicating that a tsunami definitely occurred. An additional seven events have been given a "3" (probable) 

validity rating, but the validity of the remaining events is less certain. The 

events listed in table 7 are plotted on a map of North Chile in figure 13. 

The literature provides information about the size of the tsunami for 25 of the 

events in table 7. This size may have been indicated by a tsunami magnitude, a 

tsunami intensity, or a measured or estimated runup height. Of the 25 events 

that had such information, 12 had runup heights reported to be less than 1 

meter. The reason that some events that had significant runup heights were not 

considered to be probable tsunamis is that they do not clearly fit the definition of a tsunami as described in the introduction. Tsunamis in the 20th century have not been as large or as destructive as those occurring last century. 

Figure 14 shows the frequency of occurrence of the tsunamigenic earthquakes for 

each degree of the North Chile coastline. Shaded areas indicate the number of 

tsunamigenic earthquakes that caused damage. 

Table 8 lists the dates of 20 tsunamis generated in North Chile and the names of 

the cities that reported each event. An I'X" in the damage column indicates that 

damage occurred at that city. If a value is not given for the runup height and 

an IIX" does not appear in the damage column, then the event was reported in the 

literature but descriptive effect information was not given. The areas reporting each tsunami are listed by increasing latitude (north to south). Figures 15 

and 16 show the extent of the coastline affected by the 1868 and 1877 events 

(hatched area) and the 1 ocati ons where damage occurred (shaded areas). These 

events caused the most extensive damage ever reported along the Peru-Chile 

coast. 

Table 9 lists the dates of two major tsunamis in North Chile and the cities outside Peru-Chile that reported each event. These events are the only tsunamis 

generated in North Chile that were widely reported outside the west coast of 

South America. They were destructive in Hawaii, Japan, New Zealand, and on 

several Pacific islands. The 1868 event appears to have been more widely felt in 

the South Pacific Basin even though its epicenter was located 1" north of the 

1877 event. Maps showing the extent of the effects of these tsunamis are shown 

in figures 17 and 18. 

Table 10 is a summary of damage and number of deaths caused by tsunamis in North 

Chile. More than 26,000 people have been killed by tsunamis generated in this 

region. However, during the 20th century no severely damaging tsunamis has 

occurred in the area. 

Table 11 lists the names of cities in North Chile that have reported tsunamis, 

the dates of the tsunamis, the runup heights, and whether damage occurred. The 

table shows that Arica and Iquique, located in the "big bend" of South America, 

have been especially vulnerable both to local tsunamis and to those generated 

29 
TABLE 7. TSUNAMIGENIC EARTHQUAKES OF NORTH CHILE 

EVENT EVENT 

NO. DATE 

YEAR MO DA 

6 1615 09 16 

10 1681 03 10 

13 *1705 11 26 

14 1715 OB 22 

25 1836 07 0.3 

37 *<le68 OB 13 

43 1869 06 25 

46 '1869 OB 24 

49 1871 10 05 

51 1873 11 19 

52 *<le77 05 10 

53 1877 05 15 

54 1877 OB 23 

56 1878 03 12 

57 1878 05 12 

58 1881 07 14 

59 1881 10 27 

61 1882 09 14 

62 1885 11 12 

63 1903 09 26 

65 1906 05 07 

67 1906 12 26 

69 1909 05 OB 

70 1911 09 15 

76 *1918 12 04 

83 1923 08 12 

84 1925 05 15 

89 1928 11 20 

93 1933 02 23 

94 1934 12 04 

95 1936 07 13 

99 1940 10 04 

103 1946 OB 

105 1948 12 26 

115 1956 01 08 

116 1956 12 18 

117 1957 07 29 

125 1965 02 23 

129 1966 12 28 

132 1967 12 21 

135 1970 06 19 

136 1970 11 28 

143 1975 03 13 

145 1983 10 04 

- 

TIME 

- 

24 00 

223C 

2045 

171 C 

005c 

0216 

074 C 

0653 

0546 

1148 

121 1 

1157 

2035 

0809 

1725 

1112 

0755 

1919 

0712 

2 054 

023 1 

1715 

221 1 

a18 

0225 

1056 

1109 

1527 

1852 

- 

EARTHQUAKE DATA 

LAT. LONG. TUOE DEPT 

S. W. MAGNI0 0 (KM) 

18.6 71.0 

18.5 70.3) 

18.6 70.2 

18.5 70.3) 

22.5 70.3 

18.6 71.0 

19.6 70.2) 

18.6 70.0 

20.1 71.3 

23.6 70.4) 

19.6 70.2 

20.2 70.1) 

20.2 70.1) 

23.6 70.4) 

20.2 70.1) 

19.6 70.2) 

19.6 70.2) 

20.2 70.1) 

20.2 70.1) 

18.5 70.3) 

18.0 71.0 

25.0 73.0 

20.0 72.0 

26.0 71.0 

18.5 70.3) 

26.0 71.5 

22.5 70.5 

20.0 71.0 

19.5 69.5 

24.5 70.0 

22.0 71.0 

26.5 70.5 

22.5 69.0 

19.0 70.5 

25.5 71.0 

23.5 71.5 

25.7 70.5 

25.5 70.6 

21.7 70.0 

22.2 70.5 

20.9 69.8 

26.0 75.0 

26.5 70.6 

7.5 

7.5 

7.5 

7.5 

8.5 

6.8 

7.5 

8.3 

7.9 

7.6 

7.3 

7.8 

7.1 

7.1 

6.9 

7.3 

7.3 

7.9 

7.0 

7.1 

7.0 

7.0 

7.0 

7.8 

7.5 

7.0 

6.0 

6.7 

7.4 

7.6 

33 

33 

33 

50 

33 

40 

130 

60 

75 

60 

55 

33 

33 

80 

32 

33 

52 

33 

15 

TSUNAMI DATA - 

MAGN I - 

RUNUP TUDE I NTENS I TY VAL ID IT 

(M) 

4.0 

8.0 

2.0 

21.0 

0.7 

2.0 

2.8 

24.0 

0.7 

1.0 

0.7 

0.7 

1.4 

0.7 

0.7 

1.0 

0.7 

1.5 

5.0 

0.7 

1 .o 

0.7 

0.4 

0.7 

0.4 

2.0 

3.0 

1.0 

4.3 

1.0 

4.5 

-0.5 

0.6 

2.3 

-0.5 

0.0 

-0.5 

0.0 

-0.5 

-2.3 

1.5 

1.0 

0.0 

2.0 

0.0 

0.5 

0.0 

0.0 

1.0 

0.0 

0.0 

0.5 

0.0 

0.0 

2.5 

0.0 

0.5 

0.0 

0.5 

0.0 

0.2 

4 

3 

4 

3 

3 

4 

4 

4 

3 

3 

3 

4 

4 

3 

4 

4 

4 

REFERENCES 

1,9,10,31,38,51 

31.51 

9,10,38 

31,51 

52 

52 

9,38 

52 

9,38,51 

9,38 

52 

9,38 

9,38 

9,38 

9.38 

9.38 

9,38 

9.38 

9,38,51 

9,38,51 

9.38 

51 

9,10,13,51 

51 

1,9,10,18,38,5 1 

9,38,51 

51 

51 

9,22,38,51 

9,22,38,5 1 

1,9,10,22,51,52 

51 

51 

9,38,51 

51 

51 

51 

51 

5,9,38,47,5 1 

9,27,38,51 

51 

51 

51 

45 

NOTE: indicates that the earthquake caused a destructlve tsunaml. 

< lndlcates that the tsunaml was reported outside the South American coast. 

See footnotes at end of table 1 for explanation of column headings. 

( ) Parentheses around the latitude and longttude IndIcate that the epicenter was derlved from 

the coordinates of a clty name glven In the reference. 

30 
elsewhere in the Pacific Ocean Basin. However, these "remote source'' tsunamis 

have seldom caused damage in this section of North Chile. Figure 19, a bar 

graph of the data in table 11, gives the number of tsunamis per degree of 

coast1 i ne. 

NORTH CHILE 

(18's - <27O SI 

Destructive 

Ts u n a m is 

FIGURE 14. NUMBER OF TSUNAMIGENIC EARTHQUAKES PER DEGREE 

OF NORTH CHILE COASTLINE 

31 
W h)

5" 

KI' 

15" 

20" 

25' 

30' 

35' 

40' 

4Y 

50' 

! 

55" L I' 'I 

i I/ I 

I I I 

115' 110' 105" 

I I 

j I .I ! j $1 I 

' 85" 80" 75' 70" 

FIGURE 15. AREA OF PERU-CHILE COAST AFFECTED 

BY CHILE TSUNAMI OF AUG. 13, 1868 

5" 

M" 

15' 

20' I *- 

25"' 

30" l'-c 

I 

c/ I 

' 70' 

FIGURE 16. AREA OF PERU-CHILE COAST AFFECTED 

BY CHILE TSUNAMI OF MAY 10, 1877 
FIGURE 17. AREAS OUTSIDE PERU-CHILE REPORTING CHILE 

TSUNAMI OF AUG. 13, 1868 

FIGURE 18. AREAS OUTSIDE PERU-CHILE REPORTING CHILE 

TSUNAMI OF MAY 10, 1877 

33 
NORTH CHILE 

(18" S - <27O SI 

Destructive 

Tsunamis 

FIGURE 19. NUMBER OF REPORTED OBSERVATIONS OF TSUNAMI 

EFFECTS PER DEGREE OF NORTH CHILE COASTLINE 

34 
TABLE 8. EFFECTS IN PERU-CHILE OF TSUNAMIS GENERATED IN NORTH CHILE 

S. W. 

EVENT DATE COUNTRY REPORTING CITY OR REGION LAT. LONG. RUNUP DAMAGE 

YEAR MO DA (M) 0 0 

1615 09 16 CHILE 

1705 11 26 CHILE 

1836 07 03 CHILE 

1868 08 13 PERU 

PERU 

PERU 

PERU 

PERU 

PERU 

PERU 

PERU 

PERU 

PERU 

CHI LE 

CH I LE 

CHI LE 

CH I LE 

CH I LE 

CHI LE 

CH I LE 

CH I LE 

CH I LE 

CH I LE 

CH I LE 

CH I LE 

CHI LE 

CH I LE 

CH I LE 

CH I LE 

CHI LE 

CHI LE 

CHI LE 

CHI LE 

CH I LE 

CHI LE 

CH I LE 

CH I LE 

CH I LE 

1869 08 24 CHILE 

CH I LE 

CH I LE 

1877 05 10 CHILE 

PERU 

PERU 

PERU 

PERU 

PERU 

PERU 

PERU 

PERU 

PERU 

PERU 

PERU 

AR I CA 

ARICA 

COB1 JA 

TAMBO 

TRUJ I LLO 

CASMA 

CALLA0 

CH I NCHA ISLANDS 

PI sco 

CHALA 

MOLLENDO 

I SLAY 

I LO 

AR I CA 

PI SAGUA 

IQUIQUE 

TOCOP I LLA 

COB1 JA 

ME J I LLONES 

TALTAL 

CHANARAL 

CALDERA 

CARRIZAL BAJO 

COQU IMBO 

JUAN FERNANDEZ ISLANDS 

VALPARAISO 

SAN VINCENTE 

ONSTITUCION 

TOME 

TALCAHUANO 

CORONEL 

LOTA 

ARAUCO 

LEBU 

SAN VI NCENTE DE CANETE 

CORRAL 

ANCUD 

CHILOE ISLAND 

PI SAGUA 

I QU I QUE 

ARICA 

HUAN I LLOS 

TUMBES 

PI MENTEL 

PACASMAYO 

TAMBO 

HUANCHACO 

SALAVERRY 

SANTA 

CH IMBOTE 

SAMANCO 

CASMA 

SUPE 

18.48 70.33 

18.48 70.33 

22.55 70.27 

7.58 78.70 

8.10 79.00 

9.50 78.30 

12.08 77.13 

13.65 76.40 

13.77 76.70 

15.85 74.22 

17.00 72.00 

17.03 72.10 

17.70 71.33 

18.48 70.33 

19.57 70.23 

20.25 70.13 

22.08 70.17 

22.55 70.25 

23.05 70.42 

25.43 70.55 

26.38 70.67 

27.07 70.83 

28.13 71.25 

29.95 71.42 

33.00 80.00 

33.08 71.67 

34.45 71.08 

35.33 72.42 

36.63 72.95 

36.67 73.17 

36.98 73.17 

37.12 73.17 

37.25 73.32 

37.63 73.72 

37.80 73.42 

39.86 73.42 

42.50 73.92 

41.87 73.83 

19.57 70.23 

20.25 70.13 

18;48 70133 

3.62 80.45 

7.45 79.55 

7.58 78.70 

8.05 78.10 

6.85 79.88 

8.23 78.92 

0.95 78.62 

9.08 78.60 

9.22 78.55 

9.50 78.30 

10.82 77.67 

2.5 

4.0 

15.0 

12.0 

15.0 

12.0 

6.0 

7.5 

2.0 

3.5 

4.5 

4 .O 

4.0 

2.0 

2.0 

2.0 

18.0 

4.0 

0.8 

3.0 

2.0 

3.5 

2.0 

6.0 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

35 
TABLE 8. EFFECTS IN PERU-CHILE OF TSUNAMIS GENERATED IN NORTH CHILE (CONT.) 

EVENT DATE COUNTRY REPORTING CITY OR REGION LAT. LONG. RUNUP DAMAGE 

YEAR MO DA (M) a 0 

1877 05 10 

1877 05 10 

1877 08 23 

1878 03 12 

1878 06 12 

1881 07 14 

1881 10 27 

1882 09 14 

1885 11 12 

1903 09 26 

1906 05 07 

1918 12 04 

1923 08 12 

PERU 

PERU 

PERU 

PERU 

PERU 

PERU 

PERU 

PERU 

PERU 

CH I LE 

PERU 

CHI LE 

CHI LE 

CH I LE 

CH I LE 

CH I LE 

CH I LE 

CHI LE 

CH I LE 

CH I LE 

CHI LE 

CH I LE 

CHI LE 

CHI LE 

CH I LE 

CHI LE 

CH I LE 

CH I LE 

CHI LE 

CH I LE 

CHI LE 

CHI LE 

CH I LE 

CHI LE 

CH I LE 

CHI LE 

CHI LE 

CHI LE 

CH I LE 

CH I LE 

CH I LE 

CH I LE 

PERU 

PERU 

CHI LE 

CH I LE 

CH I LE 

PERU 

CH I LE 

CH I LE 

SALINAS (PTA) 

ANCON 

CALLA0 

CH I NCHA ISLANDS 

PI sco 

CHALA 

MOLLENDO 

I SLAY 

I LO 

AR I CA 

PI SAGUA 

IQUIQUE 

CHANABAYA 

CALETA PABELLON DE PICA 

PUNTA LOBOS 

GUANILLO DEL WRTE 

TOCOP I LLA 

Coel JA 

MEJ I LLONES 

ANTOFAGASTA 

CHANARAL 

CALDERA 

CARRIZAL BAJO 

COQU IMBO 

JUAN FERNANDEZ ISLANDS 

VALPARAISO 

LL IC0 

CONSTITUCION 

TOME 

TALCAHUANO 

PENCO 

CORONEL 

LOTA 

ARAUCO 

VAL0 I V I A 

CORRAL BAY (ENSENADA) 

PUERTO MONTT 

ANCUD 

IQUIQUE 

BUCHUPUREO 

ANTOFAGASTA 

IQUIQUE 

PI SAGUA 

PI SAGUA 

IQUIQUE 

1 QU I QUE 

ARICA 

TACNA 

CALDERA 

AR I CA 

11.33 

11.78 

12.08 

13.65 

13.77 

15.85 

17.00 

17.03 

17.70 

18.48 

19.57 

20.25 

20.89 

20.90 

21.02 

21.20 

22.08 

22.55 

23.08 

23.65 

26.38 

27.07 

28.07 

29.95 

33.00 

33.08 

34.76 

35.33 

36.63 

36.67 

36.75 

37.02 

37.08 

37.25 

39.77 

39.96 

41.47 

41.87 

20.25 

36.08 

23.65 

20.25 

19.57 

19.57 

20.25 

20.25 

18.48 

18.00 

27.07 

18.48 

78.50 

77.1 1 

77.13 

76.40 

76.70 

74-22 

72 .OO 

72.10 

71.33 

70.33 

70.23 

70.13 

70.15 

70.16 

70.17 

70.08 

70.17 

70.27 

70.43 

70.42 

70.67 

70.83 

70.58 

71.42 

80 .OO 

71.67 

72.17 

72.42 

72.95 

73.17 

73.00 

73.15 

73.17 

73.32 

73.25 

73-42 

73.00 

73.83 

70.13 

72.77 

70.42 

70.13 

70.23 

70.23 

70.13 

70.13 

70.33 

70.25 

70.83 

70.33 

6 .O 

3 .O 

3.0 

3 .O 

1.5 

3.0 

3.0 

3.0 

6.0 

20.0 

5 .O 

6.0 

10 .o 

10.0 

10.0 

15.0 

24.0 

9.0 

21.0 

6.0 

5.0 

2.0 

1.5 

2.0 

1.1 

5.0 

0.8 

15.0 

3.0 

1.5 

0.6 

5.0 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

36 
TABLE 8. EFFECTS IN PERU-CHILE OF TSUNAMIS GENERATED IN NORTH CHILE (CONT.) 

EVENT DATE COUNTRY REPORTING CITY OR REGION LAT. LONG. RUNUP DAMAGE 

YEAR MO OA (M) 0 0 

1934 12 04 CHILE 

1936 07 13 CHILE 

CHI LE 

CHI LE 

1948 12 26 CHILE 

1966 12 28 PERU 

PERU 

PERU 

CH I LE 

CHI LE 

CH I LE 

AR I CA 

ANTOFAGASTA 

TALTAL 

TALCAHUANO 

TOCOP I LLA 

CH IMBOTE 

SAN JUAN 

MATARAN I 

ARICA 

ANTOFAGAS TA 

CALDERA 

18.48 

23.65 

25.43 

36.67 

22.08 

9.08 

15.37 

17.00 

18.48 

23.65 

27.07 

70.33 

70.42 

70.55 

73.17 

70.17 

78.60 

75.12 

72.12 

70.33 

70.42 

70.88 

0.8 

1 .o 

0.1 

0.2 

0.1 

0.3 

0.4 

0.4 

TABLE 9. EFFECTS OUTSIDE PERU-CHILE OF TSUNAMIS GENERATED IN NORTH CHILE 

REPORTING CITY OR REGION LAT. LONG. RUNUP DAMAGE PACIFIC 0 0 (M) QUADRANT 

EVENT DATE COUNTRY 

YEAR MO DA 

1868 08 13 HAWAII 

HAWAI I 

HAWAI I 

HAWAI 1 

HAWAI I 

CALIFORNIA 

CAL I FORN I A 

CAL I FORN IA 

OREGON 

ALASKA 

PHILIPPINES 

JAPAN 

JAPAN 

JAPAN 

JAPAN 

FIJI IS. 

AUSTRAL IA 

AUSTRALIA 

AUSTRAL IA 

NEW ZEALAND 

NEW ZEALAND 

NEW ZEALAND 

NEW ZEALANO 

NEW ZEALAND 

NEW ZEALAND 

NEW ZEALAND 

NEW ZEALAND 

NEW ZEALAND 

NEW ZEALAND 

NEW ZEALAND 

NEW ZEALAND 

NEW ZEALAND 

NEW ZEALAND 

NEW ZEALAND 

MOLOKAI (KANA101 

HI LO 

MAUl (KAHULUI) 

HONOLULU 

WAIMEA BAY 

SAN DIEGO 

LOS ANGELES 

SAN FRANCISCO 

ASTOR I A 

KOD I AK ISLAND 

SAN PEDZO 

NAKA RYUKYU 

SHIMODA 

YOKOHAMA 

HAKODATE 

VITI-LEVU ISLAND 

SANDGATE 

NEWCASTLE 

SYDNEY 

OCA1 N BAY 

WHITE'S BAY 

OTAGO BAY 

LE BON BAY 

MANGONU I 

PORT CHARLES 

CAPE RUNAWAY 

WOTIKI 

NAP I ER 

PIGEON BAY 

NELSOIJ IPORT 

WELL I NGTON 

WE STPORT 

KA I APO I 

LYTTLETON 

19.73 -155.05 

20.93 -156.48 

21.30 -157.87 

21.63 -158.07 

32.70 -1 17.17 

33.71 -1 18.27 

46.20 -123.77 

57.82 -152.50 

37.80 -122.47 

34.67 138.95 

35.45 139.65 

41.77 140.72 

-18.00 178.00 

-27.30 153.00 

-32.93 151.78 

-33.92 151.17 

-35.00 173.57 

-36.52 175.50 

-37.53 177.98 

-38 .OO 177.30 

-39.48 176.97 

-41.25 175.25 

-41.28 173.28 

-41.28 174.78 

41.77 171.63 

-43.40 172.67 

-43.62 172.72 

1.2 X 

4.5 X 

X 

1.6 

1.8 

0.6 

0.5 

0.22 

X 

1.5 

1.2 

0.3 

1.2 

1.8 

3.0 

2 .o 

1 .o 

1.2. 

X 

X 

1.5 

1.2 X 

5.4 

NE. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

NW. PACIFIC 

NW. PACIFIC 

NW. PAClFtC 

NW. PACIFIC 

NW. PACIFIC 

SW. PACIFIC 

SW. PACIFIC 

SW. PACIFIC 

SW. PACIFIC 

SW. PACIFIC 

SW. PACIFIC 

SW. PACIFIC 

SW. PAClFIC 

SW. PACIFIC 

SW. PACIFIC 

SW. PACIFIC 

SW. PACIFIC 

SW. PACIFIC 

SW. PACIFIC 

SW. PACIFIC 

SW. PACIFIC 

ZACI FIC 

W PACIFIC 

AClFlC 

37 
TABLE 9. EFFECTS OUTSIDE PERU-CHILE OF TSUNAMIS GENERATED IN NORTH CHILE (CONT.1 

EVENT DATE COUNTRY REPORTING CITY 

YEAR MO DA OR REGION 

LAT. LONG. RUNUP DAMAGE PACIFIC 0 0 (M) QUADRANT 

1868 08 13 NEW ZEALAND AKAROA -43.83 172.98 

NEW ZEALAND TIMARU -44.38 171.23 

NEW ZEALAND OAMARU -45.10 170.97 

NEW ZEALAND PORT CHALMERS -45.82 170.65 

NEW ZEALAND BLUFF -46.64 168.35 

MARQUESAS ISLAND -9.00 -139.50 

W. SAMOA APIA 

AUSTRAL IS. RAPA 

CHATHAM ISLAND 

ANTARCTICA 

-13.80 -171.75 

-26.80 -144.33 

-44.00 -176.50 

1877 05 10 MEXICO ACAPULCO 16.85 - 99.93 

HAWAI I COCONUT ISLAND 

HAWAI I KEALAKEKUA (19.45 -155.87) 

HAWAl I HI LO 19.70 -155.07 

HAWAl I KAWA I HAE 20.03 -155.83 

HAWAI I KAHULU I 20.93 -156.48 

HAWAl I LAHA I NA 20.95 -155.68 

HAWAl I WA I AKEA 21.20 -157.88 

HAWAI I HONOLULU 21.32 -157.83 

HAWAl I NAWILIWILI BAY (KAUAI) 21.95 -159.35 

CAL IFORN IA GAY IOTA (34.50 -120.30) 

CAL I FORN I A SAN FRANC I SCO 37.80 -122.47 

JAPAN 

JAPAN 

JAPAN 

JAPAN 

AUSTRALIA 

NEW ZEALAND 

NEW ZEALAND 

NEW ZEALAND 

NEW ZEALAND 

NEW ZEALAND 

NEW ZEALAND 

INSO PEN I NSULA 

TOKYO BAY 

KAMAISI 

HAKODATE 

SYDNEY 

LE BON BAY 

AUCKLAND 

TAURANGA 

GI SBORNE 

WA I ROA 

PIGEON BAY 

1877 05 10 NEW ZEALAND WELLINGTON 

NEW ZEALAND KAlAPOl 

NEW ZEALAND LYTTLETON 

NEW ZEALAND AKAROA 

NEW ZEALAND TIMARU 

NEW ZEALAND OAMARU 

NEW ZEALAND PORT CHALMERS 

NEW ZEALAND BLUFF 

W. SAMOA APIA 

FIJI ISLANDS S. COAST VANUA LEVU 

CHATHAM ISLAND 

1966 12 28 HAWAII KAHULU I 

HAWAl I HI LO 

(34.90 -139.90) 

35.50 139.90 

30.27 141.90 

41.77 140.72 

-33.92 151.17 

-36.92 174.78 

-37.70 176.18 

-38.68 178.03 

-39.05 177.42 

-41.25 175.25 

-4 1.28 174.78 

-43.40 172.67 

-43.62 172.72 

-43.83 172.98 

-44.38 171.23 

-45.10 170.97 

-45.82 170.65 

-46.64 168.35 

-13.80 -171.75 

-16.80 -179.50 

-44.00 -176.58 

20.93 -156.48 

19.70 -155.07 

3.0 

4.5 

3.3 

X 

3.0 X 

X 

X 

X 

1 .o X 

4.2 X 

9.0 

4.8 X 

1.5 

1.5 

3.6 

1.45 

1 .o 

4.0 

0.15 

X 

X 

0.70 

3.0 

2.4 X 

2.0 X 

2.7 

1 .o 

2.5 X 

2.0 

1.5 

0.9 

3.0 X 

X 

6.0 

1.8 

2.0 x 

X 

0.3 

0.3 

SW. PACIFIC 

SW. PACIFIC 

SW. PACIFIC 

SW. PACIFIC 

SW. PACIFIC 

SE. PACIFIC 

SE. PACIFIC 

SE. PACIFIC 

SE. PACIFIC 

SE. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

NW. PACIFIC 

NW. PACIFIC 

NW. PACIFIC 

NW. PACIFIC 

W. PACIFIC 

SW. PACIFIC 

SW. PACIFIC 

SW. PACIFIC 

SW. PACIFIC 

SW. PACIFIC 

SW. PACIFIC 

SW. PACIFIC 

SW. PACIFIC 

SW. PACIFIC 

SW. PACIFIC 

SW. PACIFIC 

SW. PACIFIC 

SW. PACIFIC 

SW. PACIFIC 

SE. PACIFIC 

SE. PACIFIC 

SE. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

38 
TABLE 10. SUMMARY OF DAMAGE AND NUMBER OF DEATHS CAUSED BY NORTH CHI LE TSUNAMIS 

EVENT DATE REPORTING CITY OR REGION 

YEAR MO DA 

EFFECTS NO. OF 

DEATHS 

1705 11 26 ARICA, CHILE TOWN DESTROYED 

1868 OB 13 ARICA, CHILE 

CALDERA, CHI LE 

IQUIQUE, CHILE 

MANY SHIPS DESTROYED 25,000 

SHIPS DAMAGED 

CITY COMPLETELY SUBMERGED 150 

CORONEL, CONSTITUCION, COQUIMBO, CONS I OERABLE DAMAGE 

BAJO, COBIJA, TCCOPILLA, TALCAHUANO 

ME J I LLONES, PI SAGUA, AND 

JUAN FERNANDEZ IS., CHI LE 

TOME, CHILE 

TRUJ I LLO, PERU 

ILO, PISCO, PERU 

CALLAO, PERU 

TAMBO, PERU 

MOLLENDO, PERU 

HILO, HAWAII ISLAND 

MAUl AND MOLOKAI ISLANDS 

WAREHOUSE, CUSTOM HOUSE FLOODED 

SCME DAMAGE 

ALL WASHED AWAY 20 

CONS I DERABLE DAMAGE 

SETTLEMENT WASHED AWAY 5 00 

SETTLEMENT, WAREHOUSES WASHED AWAY 

SEVERE DAMAGE 

SOME DAMAGE 

RAPA, AUSTRAL ISLANDS SETTLEMENTS DESTROYtD 

ANTARCTICA BREAKUP OF ICE FLOW 

APIA, WESTERN SAMOA CHURCH AND BRIDGE DESTROYED 

PIGEON BAY AND LEBON BAY, NEW ZEALAND SOME DAMAGE 

YOKOHAMA, JAPAN HARBOR FLOODED 

1869 08 24 ARICA, IQUIQUE, AND PISAGUA, CHILE TOWNS FLOODED 

1877 05 10 ARICA, CHILE LOSS OF SHIPS 277 

IQUIQUE, CHILE CITY PARTIALLY FLOODED, 30 

IQUIQUE, CHILE $1.6 MILLION IN DAMAGE 

TALCAHUANO, CHI LE CONS I DERABLE DAMAGE 

CALETA PABELLON DE PICA, CHILE LOWER CITY COMPLETELY DESTROYED 40-200 ' 

CHANABAYA, CHANARAL, CHILE 

HUANILLOS, TOCOPILLA, COBIJA 

ANTOFAGASTA AND, PENCO, CHILE 

ILO, PERU 

CALLAO, PERU 

MOLLENDO, PERU 

HILO, HAWAII ISLAND 

ACAPULCO, MEXICO 

CHATHAM ISLANDS 

AND MEJ I LLONES, CHI LE 

LE BON BAY, NEW ZEALAND 

AKAROA, NEW ZEALAND 

OMARU, NEW ZEALAND 

HAKODATE, JAPAN 

CITIES FLOWED 

CITIES MOSTLY DESTROYED 

SOME DESTRUCT I ON 

EXTENS I VE DAMAGE 

MANY 

SOME DESTRUCT I ON HUNDREDS 

RAILWAY WASHED OUT 

57 HOUSES DESTROYED 5 

SOME DESTRUCT I ON 

BRIDGE AND HOMES WASHED AWAY 

TWO BRIDGES DESTROYED 

COASTAL HCMES FLOODED 

PI ER DESTROYED 

PART OF CITY FLOODED 

1918 12 04 CALDERA, CHI LE SOME DAMAGE 

39 
TABLE 11. CITIES AND AREAS ALONG COAST OF NORTH CHILE THAT REPORTED TSUNAMIS 

FROM ALL SOURCE REGIONS 

S. w. 

LAT. LONG. RUNUP DAMAGE 0 0 (MI 

EVENT DATE SOURCE REPORTING CITY OR 

YEAR MO DA REGION IN N. CHILE 

1906 05 07 

1960 05 22 

1604 11 24 

1615 09 16 

1647 05 07 

1705 11 26 

1868 08 13 

1869 08 24 

1877 05 10 

1888 03 13 

1906 05 07 

1923 08 12 

1934 12 04 

1952 11 05 

1955 04 19 

1957 03 09 

1964 03 27 

1975 11 29 

1868 08 13 

1869 08 24 

1877 05 10 

1881 10 27 

1882 09 14 

1966 10 17 

1868 08 13 

1869 08 24 

1877 05 10 

1877 08 23 

1881 07 14 

1885 11 12 

1903 09 26 

1906 08 16 

1933 03 03 

1964 03 28 

1877 05 10 

1877 05 10 

1877 05 10 

1877 05 10 

1868 08 13 

1877 05 10 

1948 12 26 

1868 08 13 

1836 07 03 

1877 05 10 

1868 08 13 

1877 05 10 

1877 05 10 

1878 06 12 

1922 11 11 

1936 07 13 

1960 05 22 

1966 12 28 

1868 08 13 

1906 08 16 

N. CHILE TACNA, PERU 

SC. CHILE ARICA 

PERU ARICA 

N. CHILE ARICA 

PERU AR I CA 

N. CHILE AR I CA 

N. CHILE ARICA 

N. CHILE ARICA 

N. CHILE ARICA 

BISMARCK SEA ARICA 

N. CHILE ARICA 

N. CHILE ARICA 

N. CHILE MICA 

KAMCHATKA AR I CA 

Nc. CHILE ARICA 

ALEUTIAN IS. ARICA 

ALASKA 

HAWAI I 

N. CHILE 

N. CHILE 

N. CHILE 

N. CHILE 

N. CHILE 

PERU 

N. CHILE 

N. CHILE 

N. CHILE 

N. CHILE 

N. CHILE 

N. CHILE 

N. CHILE 

C. CHILE 

JAPAN 

ALASKA 

N. CHILE 

N. CHILE 

N. CHILE 

N. CHILE 

N. CHILE 

N. CHILE 

N. CHI LE 

N. CHILE 

N. CHILE 

N. CHILE 

N. CHILE 

N. CHILE 

N. CHILE 

N. CHILE 

Nc. CHILE 

N. CHILE 

SC. CHILE 

N. CHILE 

N. CHILE 

C. CHILE 

ARICA 

AR I CA 

PI SAGUA 

PI SAGUA 

PI SAGUA 

PI SAGUA 

PI SAGUA 

HUARA 

IQU IQUE 

IQU I QUE 

IQUIQUE 

IQUIQUE 

IQUIQUE 

IQUIQUE 

I QU I QUE 

IQUIQUE 

I QU I QUE 

IQU IQUE 

CHANABAYA 

CALETA PABELLON 

DE PICA 

PUNTA LOBOS 

GUAN I LLO DEL NORTE 

TCCOP I LLA 

TOCOP I LLA 

TOCW I LLA 

COB1 JA 

COB1 JA 

COB1 JA 

ME J I LLONES 

MEJILLONES 

ANTOF AGASTA 

ANTOFAGASTA 

ANTOF AGASTA 

ANTOF AGA STA 

ANTOFAGASTA 

ANTOFAGASTA 

TALTAL 

TALTAL 

18.00 70.25 

18.47 70.32 

18.48 70.33 

18.48 70.33 

18.48 70.33 

18.48 70.33 

18.48 70.33 

18.48 70.33 

18.48 70.33 

18.48 70.33 

18.48 70.33 

18.48 70.33 

18.48 70.33 

18.48 70.33 

18.48 70.33 

18.48 70.33 

18.48 70.33 

18.48 70.33 

19.57 70.23 

19.57 70.23 

19.57 70.23 

19.57 70.23 

19.57 70.23 

20.00 69.75 

20.25 70.13 

20.25 70.13 

20.25 70.13 

20.25 70.13 

20.25 70.13 

20.25 70.13 

20.25 70.13 

20.25 70.13 

20.25 70.13 

20.25 70.13 

20.89 70.15 

20.90 70.16 

21.02 70.17 

21.20 70.08 

22.08 70.17 

22.08 70.17 

22.08 70.17 

22.55 70.25 

22.55 70.27 

22.55 70.27 

23.05 70.42 

23.08 70.43 

23.65 70.42 

23.65 70.42 

23.65 20.42 

23.65 70.42 

23.65 70.42 

23.65 70.43 

25.43 70.55 

25.43 70.55 

2.0 

15.0 

2.0 

20 .o 

1.2 

0.2 

1.3 

2.1 

0.4 

2.0 

5.0 

12.0 

2.0 

6.0 

0 e4 

10.0 

18.0 

10.0 

15.0 

24.0 

9.0 

6.0 

21.0 

6 .O 

1.4 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

- 1936 07 13 N. CHILE TALTAL 25.43 70.55 0.8 

40 
NORTH CENTRAL CHILE 

This region, known as the Transverse Val ley because of its east-west-trendi ng 

transverse structures, is characterized by a shallow dipping seismic zone and by 

a 1 ack of Neogene volcanism (McCann, 1979). Destructive tsunamis thi s century 

have occurred in this area at the rate of about one event every 20 years. 

The 1922 and 1943 events, both of magnitude 8.3, demonstrate that this region 

has a potential for destructive earthquakes. Both the 1955 and 1971 earthquakes 

did not have large magnitudes, when compared to magnitudes of other earthquakes 

that generated damagi ng tsunami s, yet both produced 1 oca1 ly damagi ng tsunami s. 

The 1730 and 1922 events generated tsunamis that were damaging as far away as 

Japan, indicating that Japan may be vulnerable to future tsunamis generated in 

this area of Chile. 

Table 12 lists the tsunamigenic earthquakes that have occurred in this region, 

together with information about the tsunamis they produced. (See table 1 for 

alternate data, erroneous dates, and events that appeared in the literature but 

are not believed to have been tsunamis.) The data included in table 12 are 

believed to be the most accurate available. Of the 27 events listed, seven were 

damaging locally and three were reported in areas of the Pacific outside the 

west coast of South America. About one-half the events (14) are given at least 

a "3" (probable) validity rating, and the validity of other events is less certain. The events listed in table 12 are plotted on a map of North Central Chile 

in figure 20. 

The literature gives some information about the size of the tsunami for 16 of 

the events listed in table 12. The size may have been indicated by a tsunami 

magnitude, a tsunami intensity, or a measured or estimated runup height. Of the 

16 events that had such information, only three had reported runup heights of 

less than 1 meter. The reason that some events that had significant runup 

amounts were not considered to be probable tsunamis is that they do not clearly 

fit the definition of a tsunami as described in the introduction. Figure 21 

gives the frequency of occurrence of the tsunamigenic earthquakes for each 

degree of coastline of North Central Chile. Shaded areas indicate the number 

of tsunamigenic earthquakes that caused damage. 

Table 13 lists the dates of 18 tsunamis that were generated in North Central 

Chile and the cities that reported each event. If a value is not given for the 

runup height and an "X" does not appear in the damage column, then the event was 

reported in the literature but descriptive effect information was not given. 

The areas of Peru-Chile coast affected by the tsunamis of July 8, 1730, Feb. 20, 

1835, and Nov. 11, 1922, are shown in figures 22, 23, and 24. The sites where 

damage occurred are shaded. 

Table 14 gives the dates of three tsunamis in North Central Chile and the names 

of several cities where the tsunamis were observed. Figure 40 shows the area 

affected by the 1730 and 1819 tsunamis outside the Peru-Chile coastal area, and 

figure 25 shows the extent of the effects of the 1922 tsunami outside PeruChile Tsunamis from North Central Chile have been observed as far distant as 

Hawaii and Japan. Of the tsunamis observed in those areas, property damage was 

most extensive from the Nov. 11, 1922, event. 

41 
25'- 

30.-- 

............ 75- -- . 

I 

0 

NORTH CENTRAL CHILE 

1270s - <330 SI 

- ............................ . .- 

0 

35' - 

u 

00 OP 

P 

790 85 b 

L 

126 b 

............. 

I 00 I 

I 

/ 

43 I ,I' 

1 

/ 

:I 

I 

I 

I 

I 

I 

I 

/ 

I 

1 

/ 

I 

I 

I 

I 

\ 

I 

I 

I 

I137 ', 

011 ' \ 

I \ 

\ 

I 

I 

I 

I 

/ 

/ 

/ 

I 

I 

1 

FIGURE 20. EPICENTERS OF TSUNAMIGENIC EARTHQUAKES OF NORTH CENTRAL CHILE 

[NUMBERS REFER TO EVENT NO. IN TABLE 12.1 

42 
TABLE 12. TSUNAMIGENIC EARTHQUAKES OF NORTH CENTRAL CHILE 

EVENT EVENT TIMI 

NO. DATE 

YEAR MO DA 

11 1687 07 12 

16 *<1730 07 08 

22 *<1819 04 11 

30 1847 10 19 

31 1849 12 17 

32 1851 05 26 

33 1858 04 24 

34 * 1859 10 05 

44 1869 08 09 

60 1882 02 23 

64 1903 12 07 

75 1918 05 20 

79 1922 11 07 

80 *<1922 11 11 

82 1923 05 04 

85 1926 12 09 

91 1930 12 29 

92 1931 03 18 

97 1939 04 18 

102 * 1943 04 06 

114 * 1955 04 19 

126 1965 03 22 

131 1967 11 15 

137 * 1971 07 09 

138 1972 06 08 

139 1972 12 29 

140 1973 10 05 

0700 

1300 

0300 

1010 

1814 

1500 

1509 

1755 

2300 

0432 

2227 

2242 

0326 

0802 

0623 

1607 

2024 

2256 

2132 

0303 

1854 

0451 

0548 

EARTHQUAKE DATA 

S. W. MAGNILAT, LONG. TUDE DEPT 0 0 (KM) 

32.8 70.7 

32.5 71.5 

27.0 71.5 

(29.9 71.4 

29.9 71.4 

27.0 71.6 

(30.0 71.4 

27.0 70.0 

(30.0 71.4 

(27.9 70.1) 

28.5 71.0 

28.5 71.5 

28.0 72.0 

28.5 70.0 

20.7 71.7 

28.0 71.0 

28.5 71.0 

32.5 72.0 

27.0 70.5 

30.8 72.0 

30.0 72.0 

31.9 71.5 

28.7 71.2 

32.5 71.2 

30.5 71.8 

30.6 71.0 

32.9 71.9 

7.3 

0.7 

8.5 

7.5 

7.2 

6.5 

7.7 

6.5 

7.9 

7.0 

8.3 

7.0 

6.0 

6.0 

7.1 

7.4 

8.3 

7.1 

6.2 

6.6 

6.6 

6.0 

6.5 

6.0 

80 

33 

25 

60 

33 

100 

33 

33 

58 

15 

39 

60 

14 

TSUNAMI DATA 

RUNUP TUDE INTENSITY VALIDIT 

MAGN I - 

(M) 

16.0 

4 .O 

5.0 

3 .O 

2 .O 

5.5 

3 eo 

0.7 

0.7 

9 .o 

1.5 

1 .o 

1 .o 

1 .o 

1.2 

0.4 

4.0 

2 .o 

2.3 

1.6 

1 .o 

2.5 

1.6 

-0.5 

3.2 

0.6 

0.0 

0.0 

0.0 

0.3 

-1 .o 

3.5 

2.0 

2.0 

2.5 

1.5 

0.0 

0.0 

2.5 

0.5 

0.5 

0.0 

1 .o 

0.5 

4 

4 

4 

4 

4 

4 

3 

3 

4 

3 

3 

4 

4 

4 

REFERENCES 

52 

1,9,10,31.38,51 

1,5,9,31,38,51 

9 

52 

9,10,31,51 

9.38 

1,9.10,31,38,51 

9.38 

9,38 

9,38,5 1 

51 

51 

38,51 

9,10,38,52 

9,38 , 5 1 

1,10,38 

51 

51 

1,5,9,10,20,31,38,47,51 

1,5,9,10,47,51 

51 

51 

52 

51 

51 

9,22,27,38,47,51 

NOTE: * indicates that the earthquake caused a destructive tsunami. 

< indicates that the tsunami was reported outslde the South American coast. 

0 Parentheses around the latitude and longitude lndlcate that the epicenter was derived from the coordinates 

of a city name given in the reference. 

See footnotes at end of table 1 for explanation of column headlngs. 

43 
Table 15 is a summary of the property damage and number of deaths that accompanied tsunamis in North Central Chile. Caldera has been repeatedly damaged by 

these giant waves (1859, 1918, 1922); in 1922, the tsunami inundated the coast 

at Caldera as much as 100 meters and destroyed many houses. The 1922 tsunami 

was damaging not only locally, but also in Hawaii, American Samoa, Japan, and 

Taiwan. 

Table 16 lists the names of cities in North Central Chile that reported tsunamis 

from all source regions. Figure 26, a bar graph of the data given in table 16, 

shows the number of tsunamis per degree of coastline. 

NORTH CENTRAL CHILE 

(273 - <33* S) 

Destructive 

Tsunamis 

FIGURE 21. NUMBER OF TSUNAMIGENIC 

OF NORTH CENTRAL CHILE 

33. 

12345678 

EARTHQUAKES PER DEGREE 

COASTLINE 

44 
i 

PUE RTO MONn 

I(I 

FIGURE 22. AREA OF PERU-CHILE COAST AFFECTED 

BY CHILE TSUNAMI OF JULY 8, 1730 

5' c 

115" 

i I 

' 105" 100' 95' 90' 85" BO' 75" 70' 

FIGURE 23. AREA OF PERU-CHILE COAST AFFECTED 

BY CHILE TSUNAMI OF FEB. 20, 1835 
VALOlVlA 

FIGURE 24. AREA OF PERU-CHILE COAST AFFECTED 

BY CHILE TSUNAMI OF NOV. 11, 1922 

46 
FIGURE 25. AREAS OUTSIDE PERU-CHILE REPORTING CHILE TSUNAMI 

OF NOV. 11, 1922 

CORRAL BAJO, CHILE, AFTER TSUNAMI OF MAY 22, 1960 

41 

4 
NORTH CENTRAL 

(27OS - <33" S) 

... 

Destructive 

.. . Ts u n a m i s 

28' I 1 

30'- 

32'- 

1111 1 II Ill 11'" 

I2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 101112131415 

FIGURE 26. NUMBER OF REPORTED OBSERVATIONS OF TSUNAMI 

EFFECTS PER DEGREE OF NORTH CENTRAL CHILE COASTLINE 

48 
TABLE 13. EFFECTS IN PERU-CHILE OF TSUNAMIS GENERATED IN NORTH CENTRAL CHILE 

S. W. 

EVENT DATE COUNTRY REPORTING CITY OR REGION UT. LONG. RUNUP DAMAGE 

YEAR MO DA (M) m 0 

1730 07 08 

1819 04 11 

1849 12 17 

1851 05 26 

1858 04 24 

1859 10 05 

1869 08 09 

1882 02 23 

1903 12 07 

1922 11 11 

1923 05 04 

1926 12 09 

1930 12 29 

1943 04 06 

1955 04 19 

1971 07 09 

1973 10 05 

PERU 

CH I LE 

CH I LE 

CHI LE 

CHI LE 

CH I LE 

CHILE 

CH I LE 

CH I LE 

CHILE 

CH I LE 

CHILE 

CH I LE 

CH I LE 

PERU 

CH I LE 

CH I LE 

CH I LE 

CH I LE 

CH I LE 

CHI LE 

CHILE 

CH I LE 

CH I LE 

CH I LE 

CHILE 

CH I LE 

CHI LE 

CHILE 

CH I LE 

CH I LE 

CH I LE 

CHILE 

CHILE 

CALLAO 

COQU IMBO 

VALPARAISO 

CONCEPC I ON 

VALDlV I A 

CONCEPC I ON 

COQUIMBO 

CALDERA 

HUASCO 

COQUIMBO 

CALDERA 

COQU I MBO 

SAN ANTONIO 

HUASCO 

CALLAO 

ANTOFAGASTA 

CHANARAL 

SAN PMBROSIO ISLANDS 

CALDERA 

SAN FELIX ISLANDS 

COQU I MBO 

ATACAMA 

CHANARAL 

CALDERA 

HUASCO 

COQU IMBO 

LOS VlLOS 

VALPARA I SO 

AR I CA 

LA SERENA 

COQU IMBO 

TONGOY 

VALPARAISO 

VALPARAISO 

12.08 

29.95 

33.08 

36.83 

39.77 

36.83 

29.95 

27.07 

28.50 

29.95 

27.07 

29.95 

27.88 

28 . 50 

12.08 

23.65 

26.38 

26.47 

27.07 

28.97 

29.95 

27.50 

26.38 

27.07 

28 . 50 

29.95 

31.93 

33.08 

18.48 

29.90 

29.95 

30.27 

33.08 

33.08 

77.13 

71.42 

71.67 

73.05 

73.25 

73.05 

71.42 

70.83 

71.25 

71.42 

70.83 

71.42 

70.05 

71.25 

77.13 

70.42 

70.67 

79.88 

70.83 

70.50 

71.42 

70 .OO 

70.67 

70.83 

71 -25 

71.42 

76.58 

71.67 

70.33 

71.30 

71.42 

71.52 

71.67 

71.67 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

5.0 

1 e5 

3.0 

5.5 X 

3.0 

2.4 

9.0 X 

7.0 X 

X 

7 .O X 

X 

0.8 

0.2 

1 .o X 

1 .o 

1 .o X 

1.2 X 

0.4 

49 
TABLE 14. EFFECTS OUTSIDE PERU-CHILE OF TSUNAMIS 

GENERATED IN NORTH CENTRAL CHILE 

REPORT 1 NG CITY OR REG I ON LAT. LONG. RUNUP DAMAGE PAC I F IC 0 0 QUADRANT (MI 

EVENT DATE COUNTRY 

YEAR MO DA OR STATE 

~ 

1730 07 08 JAPAN NE. HONSHU 

1819 04 11 HAWAl I W. HAWAII ISLAND 

HAWAl I HONOLULU 

PAC1 F IC MANGAREVA 

1922 11 11 COLUMBIA APIA 

HAWAI I HI LO 

HAWAl I HONOLULU 

CALIFORNIA SAN DIEGO 

CALIFORNIA SAN FRANCISCO 

PHILIPPINES ZAMBOANGO 

TA I WAN TANSHU I 

JAPAN NAGASAKI 

JAPAN CHOSH I 

JAPAN OSAKA 

JAPAN KOBE 

JAPAN OFUNATO (IWATE) 

W. SAMOA APIA 

W. SAMOA PAGO PAGO 

AUSTRALlA SYDNEY 

NEW ZEALAND TIMARU 

NEW ZEALAND PORT CHALMERS 

21.32 -157.83 

23.12 134.95 

5.08 - 75.97 

19.70 -155.07 

21.32 -157.83 

32.70 -117.17 

37.80 -122.47 

6.90 122.08 

25.17 121.43 

32.68 135.18 

35.72 140.83 

35.95 137.27 

35.97 123.67 

39.07 141.72 

-13.80 -171.75 

-14.27 -171.72 

-33.92 151.17 

-44.38 17 1.23 

-4 5.82 170.65 

X 

1.8 

2.1 x 

0.3 

0.20 

0.20 

0.10 

X 

X 

X 

X 

1.8 

1.8 X 

0.15 

0.18 

NW. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

NW. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

NW. PACIFIC 

NW. PACIFIC 

NW. PACIFIC 

NW. PACIFIC 

NW. PACIFIC 

NW. PACIFIC 

NW. PACIFIC 

SE. PACIFIC 

SE. PACIFIC 

SW. PACIFIC 

SW. PACIFIC 

SW. PACIFIC 

TABLE 15. SUMMARY OF OAMAGE AND NUMBER OF DEATHS CAUSED BY NORTH CENTRAL CHILE TSUNAMIS 

EVENT DATE REPORTING CITY CR REGION EFFECTS DEATHS 

YEAR MO DA 

1730 07 08 

1819 04 11 

1859 10 05 

1922 11 11 

1943 04 06 

1955 04 19 

1971 07 09 

CONCEPC I ON, CH I LE 

VALDIVIA, CHILE 

COQUIMBO, CHILE 

OJIKA PENINSULA, SANRIKU, JAPAN 

COPIAPO, CHILE 

CONCEPCION. CHILE 

CALDERA, CHI LE 

COQUIMBO, CHILE 

CHANARAL, CHILE 

CALDERA, CH I LE 

HILO, HAWAl I ISLAND 

PAGO PAGO, AMERICAN SAMOA 

JAPAN, TAIWAN 

LOS VILOS, CHILE 

LA SERENA AND TONGOY, CHILE 

VALPARAISO, CHILE 

TOWN I NUNDATED 

SOME DESTRUCT I ON 

RANCHES DESTROYED 

RICE FIELDS FLOODED 

SEA OVERFLOWED LAND 300 M 

SCHOONER GROUNDED 

BOATS, PORT INSTALLATIONS DAMAGED 

GREAT DESTRUCT I ON, 

DESTRUCTION 4 BLOCKS INLAND 

HOUSES DESTROYED, 100-M 

INUNDATION 

MINOR DAMAGE 

MINOR DAMAGE 

MINOR DAMAGE 

FISHING VESSELS DAMAGED 

EXTENS I VE DAMAGE 

SOME DAMAGE 

2-KM INUNDATION 

HUNDREDS 

50 
TABLE 16. CITIES AND AREAS ALONG THE COAST OF NORTH CENTRAL CHILE THAT REPORTED 

TSUNAMIS FROM ALL SOURCE REGIONS 

S. W. 

EVENT DATE SOURCE REPORTING CITY OR REGION LAT. LONG. RUNUP DAMAGE 

YEAR MO DA IN NORTH CENTRAL CHILE (MI 0 0 

1868 08 13 

1877 05 10 

1877 IO 09 

1922 11 11 

1926 12 09 

1922 11 11 

1851 05 26 

1859 10 05 

1868 08 13 

1877 05 IO 

1918 12 04 

1922 11 11 

1926 12 09 

1966 12 28 

1906 08 16 

1952 11 05 

1957 03 09 

1960 05 22 

1975 11 20 

1923 05 04 

1882 02 23 

1877 05 IO 

1868 08 13 

1851 05 26 

1903 12 07 

1926 12 09 

1964 03 27 

1922 11 11 

1955 04 19 

1730 07 08 

1849 12 17 

1858 04 24 

1868 08 13 

1869 08 09 

1877 05 10 

1880 08 15 

1906 08 16 

1922 11 11 

1930 12 29 

1952 11 05 

1955 04 19 

1964 03 27 

1960 05 22 

1955 04 19 

1943 04 06 

N. CHILE 

N. CHILE 

N. CHILE 

NC. CHILE 

NC. CHILE 

NC. CHILE 

NC. CHILE 

NC. CHILE 

N. CHILE 

N. CHILE 

N. CHILE 

NC. CHILE 

NC. CHILE 

N. CHILE 

C. CHILE 

KAMCHATKA 

ALEUTIANS 

SC. CHILE 

HAWAI I 

NC. CHILE 

NC. CHILE 

N. CHILE 

N. CHILE 

NC. CHILE 

NC. CHILE 

NC. CHILE 

ALASKA 

Nc. CHILE 

Nc. CHILE 

NC. CHILE 

Nc. CHILE 

Nc. CHILE 

N. CHILE 

N. CHILE 

N. CHILE 

NC. CHILE 

C. CHILE 

Nc. CHILE 

NC. CHILE 

KAMCHATKA 

Nc. CHILE 

ALASKA 

SC. CHILE 

NC. CHILE 

NC. CHILE 

CHANARAL 

CH A N A R A L 

CHANARAL 

CHANARAL 

CHANARAL 

SAN AMBROSIO ISLANDS 

CALDERA 

CALDERA 

CALDERA 

CALDERA 

CALDERA 

CALDERA 

CALDERA 

CALDERA 

CALDERA 

CALDERA 

CALDERA 

CALDERA 

CALDERA 

ATACAMA 

SAN ANTONIO 

CARRIZAL BAJO 

CARR I ZAL BA JO 

HUASCO 

HUASCO 

HUASCO 

HUASCO 

SAN FEL IX ISLANDS 

LA SERENA 

COQU IMBO 

COQU I MBO 

COQU I MBO 

COQU I MBO 

COQU IMBO 

COQU IMBO 

COQU IMBO 

COQU IMBO 

CCQU IMBO 

COQU IMBO 

COQU I MBO 

COQU IMBO 

COQUIMBO 

COQU IMBO 

TONGOY 

LOS VI LOS 

26.38 70.67 

26.38 70.67 

26.38 70.67 

26.38 70.67 

26.38 70.67 

26.47 79.88 

27.07 70.83 

27.07 70.83 

27.07 70.83 

27.07 70.83 

27.07 70.83 

27.07 70.83 

27.07 70.83 

27.07 70.88 

27.07 70.83 

27.08 70.68 

27.08 70.68 

27.08 70.68 

27.08 70.68 

27.50 70.00 

27.88 70.05 

28.07 70.58 

28.13 71.25 

28.50 71.25 

28.50 71.25 

28.50 71.25 

28.50 71.25 

28.97 70.50 

29.90 71.30 

29.95 71.42 

29.95 71.42 

29.95 71.42 

29.95 11.42 

29.95 71.42 

29.95 71.42 

29.95 71.42 

29.95 71.42 

29.95 71.42 

29.95 71.42 

29.95 71.42 

29.95 71.42 

29.95 71.42 

29.95 71.42 

30.27 71.52 

31.93 76.58 

5.0 X 

5.0 X 

9.0 X 

1.5 

5.5 X 

X 

2.0 

5.0 X 

7 .O X 

0.4 

2.8 

1.3 

2.9 

0.5 

1.5 

3.0 

1 .o 

5.0 

7.5 

3.0 

2.0 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

7 .O X 

X 

51 
75- 

I 

/ 

I 

I 

I \ I 

\ P I 

I 

CENTRAL CHILE 

(330s - <37*SI 

0% 

3)' -. . . . . . . ... 

I 

0 

146 

I 

\ 

\ 

0 '\ 

c' 

/ 

I 

I 

I 

I 

I 

I 

I 

L 

\ 

b 

1 

1 

/ 

/ 

/ 

I 

I 

I 

/ 

I 

I 

- -_ - -- -1 

/ 

fI 

I 

\ 

1 / 

/ 

FIGURE 27. EPICENTERS OF TSUNAMIGENIC EARTHQUAKES OF CENTRAL CHILE 

[NUMBERS REFER TO EVENT NO. IN TABLE 17.1 

52 
CENTRAL CHILE 

[33" s. - <37" s.1 

Near Valparaiso, 33' S. - <34" S. 

The region near Valparaiso in Central Chile is marked by the intersection of the 

Juan Fernandez Ridge with the Peru-Chile trench, an increase in the dip of the 

Chi 1 ean sei smi c (Beni of f) zone, and the abrupt appearance of Neogene vol cani srn 

to the south (McCann, 1979). Six tsunamigenic earthquakes have occurred in this 

area. The Nov. 11, 1822, and Aug. 17, 1906, earthquakes centered almost at the 

same location; both had magnitudes of 8.5 or larger and both caused damage. A 

magnitude 7.8 earthquake, which occurred in this area on Mar. 3, 1985, generated 

a small tsunami. Large-magnitude events tend to migrate south along this sect i o n o f the seismic zone. That in 1985 was slightly south of the 1906 event and 

may have partially relieved the strain in this area. 

South of Valparaiso, 34" S. - <36' S. 

A moderate-size seismic gap exists south of Valparaiso, where the potential for 

future earthquakes is good (McCann, 1979). Near the end of this century a new 

series of earthquakes could start south of Valparaiso, and the epicenters could 

progress as far south as 46" S. latitude, including the entire Central Valley 

Province of Central and Southern Chile (Garcia, 1976). Four events having magnitudes of 7.5 or larger have occurred in this area, but none of these generated 

a destructive tsunami. 

Concepcion Region, 36" S. - <37" S. 

In the southern part of Central Chile, the interval between the large tsunamigenic earthquakes of 1570 (South Central Chile), 1657 (South Central Chile), 1835 

and 1928 (Concepcion area, 36.8' S.) is about 90 years. All these earthquakes 

have a magnitude of 8+, and their accompanying tsunamis have similar characteristics. At the southern boundary of this region a shift occurs in major 

seismicity from the Range Fault to an offshore strLicture occurs. The Transverse 

Ranges intrude the Central Valley at this point, and appear to mark the boundary 

of another tectonic unit along the Peru-Chile coast (Lomitz, 1970). 

Table 17 lists the tsunamigenic earthquakes that have occurred in Central Chile, 

and gives information about the tsunamis they produced. (See table 1 for alternate data, erroneous dates, and events that appeared in the literature but are 

not believed to have been tsunamis). The data included in table 17 are believed 

to be the most accurate available. Of the 19 events listed, four were damaging 

locally and three were reported in areas of the Pacific outside the west coast 

of South America. One-half the events (9) are given a validity rating of "3" 

or "4. I' 

The literature gives some information about the size of the tsunami for more 

than two-thirds (14) of the events in table 17. The size may have been indicated by a tsunami magnitude, a tsunami intensity, or a measured or estimated 

runup height. Of the 14 events that had such information, only three had 

reported runup heights of less than 1 meter. The event on Feb. 12, 1839, is 

53 
unusual in that it was reportedly caused by an underwater eruption located 

between Valparaiso and Juan Fernandez Islands, Chile. The events listed in table 

17 are plotted on a map of Central Chile in figure 27. Figure 28 shows the frequency of occurrence of the tsunamigenic earthquakes for each degree of the 

coastline of Central Chile. Shaded areas indicate the number of tsunamigenic 

earthquakes that caused damage. 

Table 18 lists the dates of 10 tsunamis that were generated in Central Chile and 

gives names of cities that reported each event. If a value is not given for the 

runup height and an "X" does not appear in the damage column, then the area was 

reported in the literature but descriptive effect information was not given. 

Tsunamis in Central Chile have been observed as far north as Central Peru and as 

far south as Chiloe Island (42" S. latitude). 

The Aug. 17, 1906, event caused the most damage and affected the largest extent 

of coastline in this area. Figure 29 shows the extent of the coastline affected 

by the 1906 event (hatched area) and the areas where damage occurred (dark 

area). 

Table 19 gives dates of four tsunamis generated in Central Chile and the names 

of cities outside the area that reported the events. The 1906 event caused 

slight damage at three sites in Hawaii, and the 1751 event inundated areas of 

.. southeast Honshu, Japan. The most recent tsunami described in the present 

report occurred in this region on March 3, 1985. It was recorded at Hawaii, 

Alaska, Japan, and Tahiti, in addition to other areas. Figures 30 and 31 show 

the extent of the area outside Peru-Chile reporting the tsunamis of 906 and 

1985, and figure 40 depicts similar information for the tsunamis of 751 and 

1835. 

Table 20 is a summary of property damage and number of deaths caused by tsunamis 

in Central Chile. Although most tsunamis generated in this area have caused 

only minor effects, those in 1751 and 1835 caused fatalities. -Table 21 lists 

the names of cities in Central Chile that have reported tsunamis, the dates of 

the tsunamis, the runup heights, and whether damage occurred. Figure 32, a bar 

graph of the data shown in table 21, shows the number of tsunamis per degree of 

coast1 i ne, 

54 
TABLE 17. TSUNAMIGENIC EARTHQUAKES OF CENTRAL CHILE 

EARTHQUAKE DATA 

LAT. LONG. TUDE DEPTk 

EVENT EVENT TIM S. W. MAGNI0 0 (KM) 

NO. DATE 

YEAR MO DA 

TSUNAMI DATA 

RUNUP TUDE INTENSITY VALIDIT 

MAGN I - 

(M) 

19 *<1751 05 25 

21 1811 11 19 

23 * 1822 11 19 

24 *<le35 U2 20 

27 1838 05 07 

I 

28 1839 U2 12 

38 1868 09 14 

40 1868 10 16 

41 1869 01 27 

47 1871 03 25 

55 * 1878 02 14 

66 *<1906 CE 17 

81 1923 U2 17 

90 1928 12 01 

96 1939 01 25 

112 1953 05 06 

123 1961 10 18 

144 1985 03 03 

146 1975 05 10 

I 

05 00 

0230 

1530 

1454 

om0 

0406 

0332 

1717 

1652 

2247 

1429 

36.5 

(33.0 

33.0 

36.8 

(36.7 

33.6 

(36.7 

(33.1 

(36.6 

35.0 

(36.8 

33.0 

(35.3 

35.0 

36.3 

~ 36.5 

36.7 

, 

74.0 

71.4) 

71.6 

73.0 

73.1) 

76.8 

73.2) 

71.7) 

72.9) 

72.5 

73.0) 

72.0 

72.4) 

72.0 

72.3 

72.5 

73.0 

72.0 

74.6 

6.0 

8.5 

8.2 

7.5 

8.6 

8.4 

8.3 

7.6 

6.5 

7.8 

7.8 

25 

25 

60 

60 

15 

SH 

3.5 1.8 

4.0 2.0 

3.5 2.0 

24.0 4.0 

0.7 

1 .o 

1 .o 

0.7 

?.O 

0.7 

3.6 1.8 

1.5 0.6 

1.5 0.6 

2.5 0.1 

3.5 

2.0 

2.0 

3.0 

0.0 

0.5 

0.5 

0.0 

0.5 

0.0 

2.0 

1.5 

0.5 

REFERENCES 

1,9,10,31,38,49,51 

9.38 

52 

52 

9.38 

9.38 

9.38 

9.38 

9.38 

9.38.52 

9.38 

9,10,18,20,31,38,51 

9.38 

1.9.3 1,38,51 

51 

51 

51 

35 

51 

NOTE: * Indicates that the earthquake caused a destructive tsunaml. 

< Indicates that the tsunami was reported outside the South American coast. 

0 Parentheses around the latitude and longltude indicate that the epicenter was derlved from 

SH In depth column = shallow. 

the coordinates of a city name given In the reference. 

Se,e footnotes at end of table 1 for explanation of column headings. 

TABLE 18. EFFECTS IN PERU-CHILE OF TSUNAMIS GENERATED IN CENTRAL CHILE 

S. W. 

EVENT DATE COUNTRY REPORTING CITY OR REGION LAT. LONG. RUNUP DAMAGE 

YEAR MO DA (M) 0 0 

1751 05 25 PERU 

CH I LE 

CH I LE 

CH I LE 

1811 11 19 CHILE 

1822 11 19 CHILE 

1835 U2 20 PERU 

CHI LE 

CH I LE 

CH1 LE 

CH I LE 

CH I LE 

CH I LE 

CHI LE 

CHI LE 

CH I LE 

CH I LE 

CH I LE 

CHI LE 

CAL LAO 

JUAN FERNANDEZ IS. 

VALPARAISO 

CONCEPC I ON 

VALPARAISO 

VALPARAISO 

SAN VINCENTE DE CANETE 

JUAN FERNANDEZ IS. 

VALPARAISO 

CONSTITUCION 

COLlWO BAY 

COELEMA 

TWE 

TALC AHUANO 

PENCO 

CONCEPC I ON 

ISLA MOCHA 

VALDlV I A 

CHILOE ISLAND 

12.08 77.13 

33.00 80.00 

33.08 71.67 

36.83 73.05 

33.08 71.67 

33.08 71.67 

13.10 76.38 

33.00 80.00 

33.08 71.67 

35.33 72.42 

35.52 72.95 

36.48 72.70 

36.63 72.95 

36.67 73.17 

36.75 73.00 

36.83 73.05 

37.50 73.18 

39.77 73.25 

42.50 73.92 

33.W 71.67 

X 

3.5 X 

4.0 

3.5 X 

X 

4.5 

0.5 

3.5 

4.0 

24.0 

4.0 

9.0 

18.0 

X 

X 

X 

X 

1868 10 16 CHILE VALPARAISO 

55 
TABLE 18. EFFECTS IN PERU-CHILE OF TSUNAMIS GENERATED IN CENTRAL CHILE ICONT.) 

S. W. 

EVENT DATE COUNTRY REPORTING CITY OR REGION LAT. LONG. RUNUP DAMAGE 

YEAR MO DA (M) 0 0 

1869 01 27 CHILE 

1878 02 14 CHILE 

1906 08 17 CHILE 

CHI LE 

CH I LE 

CH I LE 

CH I LE 

CHI LE 

CH I LE 

CHI LE 

CH I LE 

CHI LE 

CHI LE 

CH I LE 

CH I LE 

CHI LE 

1923 02 17 CHILE 

1928 12 01 CHILE 

1985 03 03 CHILE 

CH I LE 

CHI LE 

CHI LE 

CH I LE 

TCUE 36.63 72.95 

CONCEPC I ON 

I QU I QUE 

TALTAL 

CALDERA 

COQU I MBO 

VALPARAISO 

CURAUM I LLA CAPE 

CURICO PROVINCE 

CONST I TUC I ON 

TALCA PROVINCE 

MAULE PROVINCE 

SAN ANTONIO 

TCME 

PE NCO 

CORONEL 

36.83 

20.25 

25.43 

27.07 

29.95 

33.08 

33.12 

34.98 

35.33 

35.47 

35.53 

35.58 

36.63 

36.75 

36.98 

73.05 X 

70.13 

70.55 

70.83 

71.42 

71.67 X 

71.83 

71.23 

72.42 

71.67 

71.72 

71.63 

72.95 1.5 

73 .OO 1.5 

73.17 

CONSTITUCION (MAULE R.) 35.33 72.42 1.5 

CONSTITUCION 35.33 72.42 1.5 

QU I NTAY 2.0 

ALGARRABO 27.08 70.58 1.5 

VALPARAISO 33.08 71.67 1.1 

CARTAGENA 33.53 71.65 2.5 

SAN ANTONTO 35.58 71.63 3.5 

TABLE 19. EFFECTS OUTS I DE PERU-CH I LE OF TSUNAMI S GENERATED IN CENTRAL CHI LE 

REPORTING CITY OR REGION LAT. LONG. RUNUP DAMAGE PAC I F IC 0 0 WADRANT (M) 

EVENT DATE COUNTRY 

YEAR MO DA OR STATE 

1751 05 25 JAPAN 

1835 02 20 HAWAl I 

1906 08 17 HAWAl I 

HAWAl I 

HAWAl I 

HAWAl I 

CALIFORNIA 

CALIFORNIA 

JAPAN 

JAPAN 

JAPAN 

JAPAN 

MARQUESAS 

1985 03 03 HAWAl I 

HAWAl 1 

ALASKA 

ALASKA 

ALASKA 

JAPAN 

JAPAN 

JAPAN 

ECUADOR 

TAHITI 

SE. HONSHU 

KAUAI ISLAND 

HI LO 

S. MAUl ISLAND 

KAHU LU I 

HONOLULU 

SAN DIEGO 

SAN FRANCISCO 

KUSHIMOTO 

ABURATSUBO 

MI YAG I KANAGAWA 

HAKODATE 

NUKU HlVA IS. HAETAEAO 

HI LO 

HONOLULU 

ADAK 

SAND POINT 

SEWARD 

MI YAK0 

KUSH I RO 

NEMURO 

GUAYAQU I L 

PAPEETE 

GAMBIER IS. RlKlTEA 

22.00 -159.50 

19.70 -155.07 

20.00 -156.50 

20.93 -156.48 

21.32 -157.83 

32.70 -117.17 

37.80 -122.47 

33.47 135.78 

35.15 135.63 

(38.25 141 .OO) 

41.77 140.72 

- 9.00 -140.00 

19.70 -155.67 

21.32 -157.83 

51.87 -176.67 

55.31 -160.53 

60.08 -149.57 

39.63 141.98 

42.97 144.40 

43.37 145.60 

- 2.13 - 79.54 

-17.53 -149.57 

-23.12 -134.95 

3.5 

0.15 

0.09 

0.44 

0.08 

0.20 

0.30 

0.24 

0.15 

0.12 

0.07 

0.25 

0.05 

0.05 

0.05 

0.15 

0.05 

0.06 

X NW. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

X NE. PACIFIC 

X NE. PACIFIC 

X NE. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

NW. PACIFIC 

PACIFIC 

NW. PACIFIC 

NW. PACIFIC 

X SW. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

NW. PACIFIC 

NW. PACIFIC 

NW. PACIFIC 

SW. PACIFIC 

SW. PACIFIC 

SW. PACIFIC 
CENTRAL CHILE 

(330s - (37OS) 

Destructive 

Tsu n a m i s 

36 

FIGURE 28. NUMBER OF TSUNAMIGENIC EARTHQUAKES PER DEGREE 

OF CENTRAL CHILE COASTLINE 

e . 

i 

THE "CANELOS" AGROUND IN VALDIVIA RIVER AFTER TSUNAMI 

OF MAY 22, 1960 

57 
I 

FIGURE 29. AREA OF PERU-CHILE COASTLINE AFFECTED 

BY CHILE TSUNAMI OF AUG. 16,1906 

58 
FIGURE 30. AREAS OUTSIDE PERU-CHILE REPORTING CHILE TSUNAMI 

OF AUG. 16, 1906 

FIGURE 31. AREAS OUTSIDE PERU-CHILE REPORTING CHILE TSUNAMI 

OF MAR. 3, 1985 

59 
CENTRAL CHILE 

(33OS - (37OS) 

I 3 5 7 9 II 13 15 17 19 21 23 

Destructive 

is una m is 

FIGURE 32. NUMBER OF REPORTED OBSERVATIONS OF TSUNAMI 

EFFECTS PER DEGREE OF CENTRAL CHILE COASTLINE 

60 
TABLE 20. SUMMARY OF DAMAGE AND NUMBER OF DEATHS CAUSED BY CENTRAL CHILE TSUNAMIS 

NO. OF 

EVENT DATE REPORTING CITY OR REGION EFFECTS DEATHS 

YEAR MO DA 

1751 05 25 CALLAO, PERU SOME DAMAGE 

CONCEPCION, CHILE TOWN FLOODED 25 

JUAN FERNANDEZ ISLANDS SETTLEMENT WASHED AWAY 35 

SE. HONSHU, JAPAN HOUSES FLOODED 

1822 11 19 VALPARAI SO, CH I LE SHIPS THROWN ON SHORE 

1835 02 20 TALCAHUANO, CHILE 

TOME AND PENCO, CHILE 

VALDIVIA, CHILE 

JUAN FERNANDEZ ISLANDS 

1878 02 14 CONCEPC I ON, CH I LE 

80-TON SCHOONER CARRIED 30O-M 

TOWNS INUNDATED 

MINOR DAMAGE 

AREA FLOODED 

SHIP NEARLY SUNK 

I NLAND, TOWN I NUNDATED 

2 

1906 OB 17 VALPARAISO, CHILE FLOOD I ffi 

KAHULUI, MAUl ISLAND MINOR DAMAGE 

MARQUESAS ISLANDS CHURCH DAMAGED 

TABLE 21. CITIES AND AREAS ALONG COAST OF CENTRAL CHILE THAT REPORTED TSUNAMIS 

FROM ALL SOURCE REGIONS 

S. W. 

EVENT DATE SOURCE REPORTING CITY OR REGION LAT. LONG. RUNUP DAMAGE 

YEAR MO DA IN CENTRAL CHILE (M) 0 0 

1751 05 25 

1835 02 20 

1868 OB 13 

1877 05 10 

1657 07 09 

1730 07 OB 

1751 05 25 

1765 

1811 11 19 

1822 11 19 

1835 02 20 

1868 OB 13 

1868 10 16 

1877 05 10 

1906 OB 17 

1943 04 06 

1946 04 01 

1952 11 05 

1957 03 09 

1960 05 21 

1960 05 22 

1964 03 28 

1966 10 17 

1971 07 09 

1973 10 05 

1983 10 04 

1985 03 03 

1906 OB 17 

1877 05 10 

1906 OB 16 

C. CHILE JUAN FERNANDEZ ISLAND 

C. CHILE JUAN FERNANDEZ ISLAND 

N. CHILE JUAN FERNANDEZ ISLAND 

N. CHILE JUAN FERNANDEZ IS. 

C. CHILE VALPARAISO 

NC. CHILE VALPARAISO 

C. CHILE VALPARAISO 

NC. CHILE VALPARAISO 

C. CHILE VALPARAISO 

C. CHILE VALPARAISO 

C. CHILE VALPARAISO 

N. CHILE VALPARAISO 

C. CHILE VALPARAISO 

N. CHILE VALPARAISO 

C. CHILE VALPARAISO 

NC. CHILE VALPARAISO 

ALEUTIANS VALPARAISO 

KAMCHATKA VALPARAISO 

ALEUTIANS VALPARAISO 

SC. CHILE VALPARAISO 

SC. CHILE VALPARAISO 

ALASKA VALPARA,I SO 

PERU VALPARAISO 

NC. CH I LE VALPARAiI SO 

Nc. CHILE VALPARAISO 

N. CHILE VALPARAISO 

C. CHILE VALPARAISO 

C. CHILE CURAUMILLA CAPE 

N. CHILE LLlCO 

C. CHILE CURlCO PROVINCE 

33.00 80.00 

33.00 80.00 

33.00 80.00 

33.00 80.00 

33.08 71.67 

33.08 71.67 

33.08 71.67 

33.08 71.67 

33.08 71.67 

33.08 71.67 

33.08 71.67 

33.08 71.67 

33.08 71.67 

33.08 71.67 

33.08 71.67 

33.08 71.67 

33.08 71.67 

33.08 71.67 

33.08 71.67 

33.08 71.67 

33.08 71.67 

33.08 71.67 

33.08 71.67 

33.08 71.67 

33.08 71.67 

33.08 71.67 

33.08 71.67 

33.12 71.83 

34.76 72.17 

34.98 71.23 

X 

4.5 

2.0 X 

X 

X 

4.0 

3.5 X 

0.5 

1.1 

0.8 

0.8 

0.9 X 

2.0 

0.3 

1.7 

2.2 

0.4 

0.6 

0.4 

0.4 

1.1 

X 

X 

61 
TABLE 21. CITIES AND AREAS ALONG THE COAST OF CENTRAL CHILE THAT REPORTED TSUNAMIS 

FROM ALL SOURCE REGIONS (CONT.) 

S. W. 

REPORT I NG C I TY OR REG I ON LAT. LONG. RUNUP DAMAGE 0 Q (MI 

EVENT DATE SOURCE 

YEAR MO OA IN CENTRAL CHILE 

1835 02 20 

1868 08 13 

1877 05 10 

1906 08 17 

1923 02 17 

1928 12 01 

1960 05 22 

1906 08 17 

1835 02 20 

1906 08 17 

1906 08 17 

1878 04 12 

1835 02 20 

1835 02 20 

1868 08 13 

1869 01 27 

1877 05 10 

1906 08 17 

1960 05 22 

1835 02 20 

1868 08 13 

1868 10 02 

1877 05 10 

1920 08 20 

1936 07 13 

1952 11 05 

1957 03 09 

1960 05 22 

1964 03 27 

1966 10 17 

1835 02 20 

1877 05 10 

1906 08 17 

1562 10 28 

1570 02 08 

1604 il 24 

1657 03 15 

1730 07 08 

1742 03 23 

1746 10 28 

1751 05 25 

1819 04 11 

1835 02 20 

1878 02 14 

1960 05 22 

1868 08 13 

1906 08 17 

1960 05 22 

C. CHILE 

N. CHILE 

N. CHILE 

C. CHILE 

C. CHILE 

C. CHILE 

SC. CHILE 

C. CHILE 

C. CHILE 

C. CHILE 

C. CHILE 

N. CHI LE 

C. CHILE 

C. CHILE 

N. CHILE 

C. CHILE 

N. CHILE 

C. CHILE 

SC. CHILE 

C. CHILE 

N. CHILE 

PERU 

N. CHILE 

SC. CH I LE 

N. CHI LE 

KAMCHATKA 

ALEUT I ANS 

SC. CHILE 

ALASKA 

PERU 

C. CHILE 

N. CHILE 

C. CHILE 

SC. CHILE 

SC. CHILE 

PERU 

SC. CHILE 

NC. CHILE 

C. CHILE 

PERU 

C. CHILE 

N. CHILE 

C. CHILE 

C. CHILE 

SC. CHILE 

N. CHILE 

C. CHILE 

SC. CH I LE 

CONSTITUCION 

CONSTITUCION 

CONSTITUCION 

CONSTITUCION 

CONSTITUCION (MAULE R.) 

CONSTITUCION 

PTO. CONSTITUCION 

TALCA PROVINCE 

COLIWO BAY 

MAULE PROVINCE 

SAN ANTONIO 

BUCHUPUREO 

CQELEMA 

TOME 

TOME 

TOME 

TOME 

TOME 

TOME 

TALCAHUANO 

TALCAHUANO 

TALCAHUANO 

TALCAHUANO 

TALCAHUANO 

TALCAHUANO 

TALCAHUANO 

TALCAHUANO 

TALCAHUANO 

TALCAHUANO 

TALCAHUANO 

PENCO 

PENCO 

PE NCO 

CONCEPC I ON 

CONCEPC I ON 

CONCEPC I ON 

CONCEPC I ON 

CONCEPC I ON 

CONCEPC I ON 

CONCEPC I ON 

CONCEPC I ON 

CONCEPC I ON 

CONCEPC I ON 

CONCEPC I ON 

CONCEPC I ON 

CORONEL 

CORONEL 

CORONEL 

35.33 

35.33 

35.33 

35.33 

35.33 

35.33 

35.33 

35.47 

35.52 

35.53 

35.58 

36.08 

36.48 

36.63 

36.63 

36.63 

36.63 

36.63 

36.63 

36.67 

36.67 

36.67 

36.67 

36.67 

36.67 

36.69 

36.69 

36.69 

36.69 

36.67 

36.75 

36.75 

36.75 

36.83 

36.83 

36.83 

36.83 

36.83 

36.83 

36.83 

36.83 

36.83 

36.83 

36.83 

36.83 

36.98 

36.98 

36.98 

72.42 

72.42 

72.42 

72.42 

72.42 

72.42 

72.42 

71.67 

72.95 

71.72 

71.63 

72.77 

72.70 

72.95 

72.95 

72.95 

72.95 

72.95 

72.95 

73.17 

73.17 

73.17 

73.17 

73.17 

73.17 

73.10 

73.10 

73.10 

73.10 

73.17 

73 .OO 

73.00 

73.00 

73.05 

73.05 

73.05 

73.05 

73.05 

73.05 

73.05 

73.05 

73.05 

73.05 

73.05 

73.05 

73.17 

73.17 

73.17 

3.5 

3.5 X 

5.0 

1.5 

1.5 

2.5 

4.0 

24 .O 

4 .O 

4.5 

0.8 

1.5 

2.5 

9.0 

4.0 

15.0 

1 .o 

1.8 

1.4 

5.0 

2.5 

0;3 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

1.5 

X 

X 

X 

X 

3.5 

18.0 

2.0 

X 

X 

X 

62 
SOUTH CENTRAL CHILE 

[37" S. - <41" S.] 

A shift of major seismic activity from the Range Fault to an offshore structure 

occurs near the northern boundary of this region (37" S. latitude). This shift 

is marked by the appearance of the Transverse Ranges, which intrude the Central 

Valley (Lomitz, 1970). The May 22, 1960, earthquake (mag. = 8.6) was the 

largest seismic event in this region since 1570. The rupture length of the 1960 

tsunami was as much as 1000 km, one of the longest lengths of rupture recorded 

anywhere in the world. Consequently, this region is believed to have a low 

potenti a1 for 1 arge-magni tude earthquakes and resul ti ng tsunami s i n the near 

future. 

Intervals between the destructive earthquakes of 1575, 1737 (South Chile) , 1837 

(South Chile), and 1960 (Valdivia area, 40" S. latitude) appear to be larger 

than those of both the Concepcion and the Valparaiso areas (that is, more than 

100 years). If the epicenters are migrating southward as is occurring in the 

Central Chile area, the possibility exists for great tsunamigenic earthquakes in 

the next century (Iida, 1983). 

Table 22 lists the tsunamigenic earthquakes that have occurred in South Central 

Peru. (See table 1 for alternate data, erroneous dates, and events that 

appeared in the literature but are not believed to have been tsunamis). The 

data included in table 22 are believed to be the most accurate available. Of 

the 11 events listed, four were damaging locally. Interestingly, three of the 

damaging events occurred in the 16th century, and only the May 22, 1960, tsunami has caused damage in the last 400 years. About one-half the events (5) are 

given a "4" validity rating, indicating these events are believed to be true 

tsunami s. 

The literature gives some information about the size of the tsunami for seven 

events in table 22. Of these, only one had a reported runup height of less than 

1 meter. The May 22, 1960, event recorded the highest runup (25 m) of any 

event on the Peru-Chile coast. Figure 34 shows the frequency of occurrence of 

the tsunamigenic earthquakes for each degree of coast1 ine of South Central 

Chile. Shaded areas indicate the number of tsunamigenic earthquakes that caused 

damage. 

Table 23 gives dates of eight tsunamis generated in South Central Chile and the 

names of cities that reported each event. If a value is not given for the runup 

height and an "X" does not appear in the damage column, then the area was 

reported in the literature but descriptive effect information was not given. 

Modern methods of reporti,ng and measuring runup heights have expanded signi fi - 

cantly the amount of data available for the May 22, 1960, tsunami, which was 

observed throughout the length of the coast of Peru-Chile. This tsunami is comparable to the great tsunamis that occurred in Northern Chile 100 years ago 

(1868, 1877). Figure 35 shows the extent of the coastline of South Central 

Chile affected by the May 22, 1960, tsunami (hatched area) and the areas where 

damage occurred (dark area). 

Table 24 lists the names of cities outside the Peru-Chile coast that reported 

the May 22, 1960, tsunami. This tsunami damaged cities in Hawaii, Japan, and 

the West Coast of the United States and was recorded throughout the Pacific 

63 
/ 

I 

1 

SOUTH CENTRAL CHILE I 

I 

I 

I 

I 

I 

\ 

\ 

I 

1 

75. 

i 

(37°S-<410S) 

/ 

/ 

I 

I 

0 121 

0 \ 

\ 

1 

I 

FIGURE 33. EPICENTERS OF TSUNAMIGENIC EARTHQUAKES OF SOUTH CENTRAL CHILE 

[NUMBERS REFER TO EVENT No. IN TABLE 22.1 

64 
TABLE 22. TSUNAMIGENIC EARTHQUAKES OF SOUTH CENTRAL CHILE 

EVENT EVENT TIM 

NO. DATE 

YEAR MO DA 

1 * 1562 IO 28 

2 * I570 02 08 

3 * 1575 12 16 

9 1657 03 15 

42 1869 02 06 

77 1920 OB 20 

106 1949 04 20 

119 1960 05 21 

120 *<I960 05 22 

121 1960 11 01 

141 1974 OB 20 

I ooa 

1300 

i83a 

233a 

1615 

0329 

1 om 

191 1 

0846 

1044 

EARTHQUAKE DATA 

S- -- W- MAGN I - 

LAT. LOG. TUDE EPT 

(KM) 

38.0 

37.0 

39.8 

37.0 

(39.9 

38.0 

38.0 

37.5 

39.5 

38.5 

38.4 

73.5 

73.0 

73.2 

73.0 

73.4) 

73.5 

73.5 

73.5 

74.5 

75.1 

73.4 

8.0 

8.8 

8.5 

8.0 

7.0 15 

7.3 70 

7.3 33 

8.6 33 

7.4 55 

7.0 36 

TSUNAMI DATA 

RUNUP TUDE INTENSITY VALiDlT 

MAGN I - 

(M) 

16.0 4.0 3.5 4 

4.0 2.0 3.0 4 

4 

8.0 3.0 2.5 3 

0.7 0.0 

I .4 1.0 

1.0 0.0 -1.0 4 

25.0 4.7 4 

REFERENCES 

1,9,10,31,38,52 

1,9,10,31,38,51 

52 

I, 3 I, 38,51 

9,38 

1,9, IO, 38,51 

51 

5,9,10,38,47,51 

51 

51 

51 

NOTE: * indicates that the earthquake caused a destructive tsunami. 

< Indicates that the tsunami was reported outside the South American coast. 

0 Parentheses around the latitude and longitude indicate that the epicenter was derived fra 

the coordlnates of a clty name given in the reference. 

See footnotes at end of table 1 for explanatlon of column headings. 

TABLE 23. EFFECTS IN PERU-CHILE OF THE TSUNAMIS GENERATED IN SOUTH CENTRAL CHILE 

S. W. 

EVENT DATE COUNTRY REPORTING CITY OR REGION LAT. LONG. RUNUP DAMAGE 

YEAR MO DA (M) 0 0 

1562 10 28 CHILE 

1570 02 OB CHILE 

1575 12 16 CHILE 

1657 03 15 CHILE 

CONCEPC I ON 

CONCEPC I ON 

VALD IV I A 

CONCEPC I ON 

1920 08 20 CHILE 

1960 05 21 CHILE 

1960 05 22 PERU 

PERU 

PERU 

PERU 

PERU 

CH I LE 

CHI LE 

CH I LE 

CH I LE 

CHI LE 

CH I LE 

CHI LE 

CH I LE 

CH I LE 

CH I LE 

CH I LE 

CH I LE 

CH I LE 

TALCAHUANO 

VALPARAISO 

TALARA 

CH IMBOTE 

CALLA0 (LA PUNTA) 

SAN JUAN 

MATARAN I 

AR I CA 

ANTOFAGASTA 

CALDERA 

COQU I MBO 

VALPARAISO 

PTO. CONSTiTUClON 

TOME 

TALCAHUANO 

CONCEPC 1 ON 

CORONEL 

ARAUCO 

LEBU 

PTO. TIRNA 

36.83 

36.83 

39.77 

36.83 

36.67 

33.08 

4.58 

9.08 

12.08 

15.35 

17.00 

18.47 

23.65 

27.08 

29.95 

33.08 

35.33 

36.63 

36.69 

36.83 

36.98 

37.25 

37.63 

38.33 

73.05 

73.05 

73.25 

73.05 

73.17 

71.67 

81.28 

78.62 

77.17 

75.15 

72.12 

70.32 

70.42 

70.68 

71.42 

71.67 

72.42 

72.95 

73.10 

73.05 

73.17 

73.32 

73.72 

73.52 

0.3 

3.9 

I .9 

1.8 

1.0 

1.5 

2.0 

I .4 

2.9 

2.1 

1.7 

2.5 

2.5 

5.0 

2.0 

5.0 

5.0 

X 

65 
TABLE 23. EFFECTS IN PERU-CHILE OF THE TSUNAMIS GENERATED IN SOUTH CENTRAL CHILE (CONT.) 

S. W. 

EVENT DATE COUNTRY REPORTING CITY OR REGION LAT. LONG. RUNUP DAMAGE 

YEAR MO DA (M) 0 0 

CHI LE ISLA MOCHA 

CHI LE PTO. SAAVEDRA 

CH I LE MEHU IN 

CHI LE VALD I V I A 

1960 05 22 CHILE CORRAL 

CH I LE MANSA RIVER 

CHI LE ANCUD 

CH I LE CH I LOE ISLAND 

CHI LE GUA FO 

CHI LE AYSEN 

CH 1 LE PUNTA ARENAS 

38.33 73.90 25.0 X 

38.78 73.40 9.0 

39.43 73.22 15.0 X 

39.80 73.24 10.0 X 

39.86 73.42 10.0 

40.55 73.76 8.5 

41.87 73.83 12.0 

42.50 73.92 10.0 X 

43.58 74.83 10.0 

45.40 72.70 3.0 

53.17 70.93 0.4 

TABLE 24. EFFECTS OUTSIDE PERU-CHILE OF MAY 22, 1960 TSUNAMI GENERATED 

IN SOUTH CENTRAL CHILE 

REPORTING CITY OR REGION LAT. LONG. RUNUP DAMAGE PACIFIC 0 0 QUADRANT 

COUNTRY 

COLCMB I A 

PACIFIC 

COLCMB I A 

CANAL ZONE 

COSTA RlCA 

COSTA RlCA 

GUATEMALA 

MEXICO 

HAWAl I 

PAC1 F IC 

MEX I CO 

HAWAl I 

HAWAl I 

HAWAl I 

HAWAl I 

HAWAl I 

HAWAl I 

HAWAI I 

HAWAl I 

HAWAl I 

HAWAl I 

HAWAl I 

HAWAl I 

HAWAl I 

HAWAl I 

HAWAl I 

HAWAl I 

HAWAl I 

HAWAl I 

HAWAl I 

HAWAl I 

HAWAl I 

HAWAl I 

HAWAl I 

HAWAl I 

TUMACO 

CHRISTMAS ISLAND 

BUENAVENTURA 

NAOS ISLAND 

OUEPOS 

PUNTARENAS 

SAN JOSE 

SALINA CRUS 

ANEOWEONU I 

JOHNSTON ALOLL 

ACAPULCO 

SOUTH POINT 

KAALUALU 

HONUAPO 

PUNALUU 

HALAPE 

KALAPANA 

KAlMU 

HOOKENA 

HONAUNAU 

(3" I KAO 

POHOlKl 

NAPOCfOO 

KEAAU 

HI LO 

KA I LUA 

PAPA I KOU 

ONCMEA 

PEPEEKEO 

HONCMU 

HAKALAU 

LA UPAHOE HOE 

KAWA I HAE 

HONOKAA 

WAlPlO V. 

1.85 - 78.73 

1.98 -157.48 

3.90 - 77.10 

8.92 - 79.53 

9.40 - 84.17 

9.97 - 84.83 

13.92 - 90.83 

16.17 - 95.20 

16.75 -169.52 

16.85 - 99.92 

18.92 -155.68 

18.97 -155.62 

19.10 -155.55 

19.13 -155.50 

19.27 -155.25 

19.35 -154.98 

19.37 -154.97 

19.38 -155.90 

19.42 -155.92 

19.43 -154.90 

19.45 -154.85 

19.48 -155.92 

19.60 -1 55.03 

19.70 -155.07 

19.72 -155.98 

19.75 -155.10 

19.80 -155.13 

19.83 -155.10 

19.85 -155.10 

19.90 -155.13 

20.00 -155.25 

20.03 -155.83 

20.07 -155.45 

20.13 -155.60 

0.45 

0.42 

0.15 

0.33 

0.42 

0.63 

3.3 

0.69 

0.33 

4.0 

5.2 

5.2 

3.4 

1.5 

2.1 

4.0 

2.1 

1.5 

1.8 

1.8 

4.9 

3.7 

10.5 

2.4 

2.7 

3.4 

1.5 

3.7 

2.7 

2.1 

2.7 

1.8 

2.4 

X NE. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

X NE. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

X NE. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

66 
Basin. Figure 36 shows the extent of the reports (in table 24) and the areas 

where property damage occurred. 

Table 25 is a summary of property damage and number of deaths caused by four 

damaging tsunamis in South Central Chile. More than 3,000 people have been 

killed by tsunamis spawned on this narrow band of coastline. Although damaging, 

the May 22, 1960, tsunami did not caused as many deaths in this area as did the 

1570 tsunami. Concepcion has been damaged repeatedly by tsunamis in this area. 

The 1960 event was especially devastating to Hawaii, where it caused $75 million 

in property damage and 61 deaths. 

Table 26 lists the names of cities in South Central Chile that have reported 

tsunamis, dates of the tsunamis, runup heights, and whether damage occurred. 

According to table 26, the area has been affected extensively by tsunamis 

generated in North Chile as well as by those generated locally. Figure 37, a 

bar graph of the data in table 26, shows the number of tsunamis per degree of 

coast1 i ne. 

SOUTH CENTRAL CHILE 

(370s-<41° s) 

Oestruc t ive 

Ts u na m is 

384 

40"- 

77-rl-i 

12345 

FIGURE 34. NUMBER OF TSUNAMIGENIC EARTHQUAKES PER DEGREE 

OF SOUTH CENTRAL CHILE COASTLINE 

67 
TABLE 24. EFFECTS OUTSIDE PERU-CHILE OF MAY 22, 1960 TSUNAMI GENERATED 

IN SOUTH CENTRAL CHILE (CONT.) 

COUNTRY REPORTING CITY LAT. LONG. 

OR REGION 0 0 

HAWAl I 

HAWAI I 

HAWAI I 

HAWAl I 

HAWAl I 

HAWAI I 

HAWAl I 

HAWAI I 

HAWAI I 

HAWAI I 

EL SALVADOR 

HAWAI I 

HAWAl I 

HAWAl I 

HAWAl I 

HAWAl I 

HAWAl I 

MEXICO 

MEX I CO 

MEX I CO 

HEX I CO 

HAWAI I 

HEX I CO 

CAL I FORN I A 

CAL I FORN I A 

CALIFORNIA 

CAL I FORN I A 

CALIFORNIA 

CAL I FORN I A 

CAL I FORN I A 

CALIFORNIA 

CALIFORNIA 

CAL I FORN I A 

CALIFORNIA 

CAL I FORN I A 

CALIFORNIA 

OREGON 

WASH I STON 

WASH I NGTON 

WASH I NGTON 

CANADA 

ALASKA 

CANADA 

CANADA 

ALASKA 

ALASKA 

CANADA 

ALASKA 

ALASKA 

ALASKA 

ALASKA 

ALASKA 

ALASKA 

ALASKA 

ALASKA 

ALASKA 

PAC1 F IC 

PACIFIC 

N. WAILUA 

POLOLU v. 

UPOLU PT. 

MAUI ISLAND 

KAHULUI (MAUI I.) 

HONOLULU LANDING 

MOKUOLOE (OAHU I.) 

KAHALUU 

OAHU ISLAND 

KAUMAKAN I 

LA UNION 

NAWlLlWlLl (KAUAI) 

KEKAHA 

KAUAI ISLAND 

PAKALA 

WAHIAWA BAY 

HAENA 

MAZ AT LAN 

LA PAZ 

TWOLOBAMP0 

GUAYMAS 

MI DWAY ISLANDS 

ENSENADA 

SAN DIEGO 

LA JOLLA 

W I LSON COVE 

SAN PEDRO 

LOS ANGELES 

ALAMITOS BAY 

TEW I NAL ISLAND 

LONG BEACH 

SANTA MONICA 

PORT HUENEME 

ALAMEDA 

SAN FRANCISCO 

CRESCENT CITY 

ASTOR I A 

NEAH BAY 

FRIDAY HARBOR 

ECHO BAY 

TOFINO 

SWEEPER COVE 

CAPE ST. JAMES 

MCKENNY ISLAND 

MASSACRE BAY 

UNALASKA 

PRINCE RUPERT 

KETCH I KAN 

KAKE 

S I TKA 

WENS BAY 

KOD I AK 

JUNEAU 

SKAGWAY 

YAKUTAT 

SEWARD 

MOEN ISLAND 

KWAJALEIN ATOLL 

20.17 -156.82 

20.22 -155.73 

20.27 -155.87 

20.88 -156.50 

20.93 -156.48 

21.32 -157.83 

21.43 -157.80 

21.45 -157.83 

21 -50 -158.00 

21 -93 -159.63 

13.33 - 87.82 

21.97 -159.33 

21.97 -159.72 

22.00 -159.50 

22.05 -159.35 

22.05 -159.55 

22.22 -159.55 

23.18 -106.43 

24.16 -1 10.32 

25.62 -109.05 

27.92 -1 10.90 

28.22 -177.37 

31.88 -116.60 

32.70 -117.17 

32.87 -1 17.25 

33.00 -1 18.55 

33.70 -1 18.25 

33.71 -1 18.27 

33.75 -1 18.12 

33.75 -1 18.23 

33.75 -1 18.23 

34.00 -1 18.50 

34.15 -119.20 

37.77 -122.30 

37.80 -122.47 

41.76 -124.22 

46.20 -123.77 

48.37 -124.62 

48.55 -123.00 

48.75 -122.90 

49.15 -125.90 

51.87 -176.63 

51 -93 -131 -02 

52.65 -129.48 

52.82 -186.83 

53.88 -166.53 

54.32 -130.33 

55.33 -131.63 

56.97 -133.92 

57.05 -135.35 

57.72 -152.52 

57.82 -152.50 

58.30 -134.42 

59.45 -135.32 

59.55 -139.73 

60.10 -149.43 

7.45 151.85 

8.73 167.73 

RU NUP 

(M) 

2.7 

3.7 

2.7 

4.5 

2.8+ 

4.3 

0.24 

2.4 

4.0 

1.6 

0.36 

1.7 

3.0 

4.5 

3.2 

4.2 

2.8 

1.08 

1.44 

0.24 

0.36 

0.60 

2.5 

1.38 

0.42 

1.23 

0.90 

1.50 

0.93 

1.83 

1.71 

1.05 

2.64 

0.18 

0.87 

3.7 

0.30 

0.27 

0.18 

0.36 

1.5 

0.36 

0.42 

3.30 

1.38 

0.9 

1.29 

0.7 

0.36 

0.9 

1.38 

0.06 

0.75 

DAMAGE PAC I F I C 

QUAORANT 

NE. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

X NE. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

X NE. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

Nw. PACIFIC 

Nw. PACIFIC 

68 
TABLE 24. EFFECTS OUTSIM PERU-CHILE OF MAY 22, 1960, TSUNAMI GENERATED 

IN SOUTH CENTRAL CHILE (CONT.) 

COUNTRY REPORTING CITY OR REGION LAT. LONG. RUNUP DAMAGE PACIFIC 0 0 (M) QUADRANT 

TA I WAN KEE-LUNG 

JAPAN NASE 

JAPAN SASEBO 

JAPAN KUSHIMOTO 

JAPAN Moz I 

JAPAN DANNOURA 

JAPAN IZUHARA 

JAPAN SHlMlZU 

JAPAN MA I ZURU 

JAPAN TUKlZl 

JAPAN CHOSH I 

JAPAN RIKUZEN 

JAPAN SH I OGAMA 

JAPAN ONAGAWA 

JAPAN OFUNATO 

JAPAN KAMAISI 

JAPAN S. RIKUCHU 

JAPAN N. RIKUCHU 

JAPAN HACH I NOHE 

JAPAN CM I NATO 

JAPAN MUTSU 

JAPAN HAKOOATE 

JAPAN HOKKA I DO 

JAPAN URAKAWA 

JAPAN KUSHIRO 

JAPAN MONBETU 

KURIL IS. 

FIJI IS. SUVA HARBOR 

GALAPAGOS SAN CRISTOBAL 

ECUADOR LA L IBERTAD 

PHOENIX IS. CANTON ISLAND 

W. SAMOA APIA 

AM. SAMOA UPOLU 

AM. SAMOA PAGO PAGO 

AM. SAMOA TUTU I LA 

PITCAIRN 1. 

EASTER 1. 

AUSTRAL I A 

AUSTRAL I A 

AUSTRAL IA URANGAN JETTY 

AUSTRAL I A 

AUSTRALIA BALLINA 

AUSTRALIA NORFOLK 1. 

AUSTRAL I A I LUKA 

AUSTRAL I A COFFS HARBOR 

AUSTRALIA LORD HOWE I. 

AUSTRAL I A FREMANTLE 

AUSTRAL IA NEWCASTLE 

AUSTRALIA SYDNEY HARBOR 

AUSTRALIA FT. DENISON 

AUSTRALIA EDEN 

NEW ZEALAND TAURANGA 

AUSTRALIA PT. MACDONNELL 

NEW ZEALAND WELLINGTON 

CA I RNS 

TOWNSV I LLE 

BR I SBANE 

AUSTRAL I A HOBART 

NEW ZEALAND LYTTELTON 

NEW ZEALAND TAYLORS POINT 

NEW ZEALAND PORT CHALMERS 

25.15 121.75 

28.38 129.50 

33.17 129.72 

33.47 135.78 

33.95 130.97 

33.97 130.95 

34.20 129.30 

35.02 138.48 

35.48 135.40 

35.67 139.77 

35.72 140.83 

38.00 140.92 

38.32 141.00 

38.45 141.47 

39.07 141.72 

39.27 141.90 

39.30 141.88 

39.83 141.52 

40.50 141.50 

41.25 141.15 

41.28 141.17 

41.77 140.72 

42.00 143.00 

42.17 142.78 

42.97 144.40 

44.35 143.37 

47.00 155.00 

-18.15 178.43 

-0.90 - 89.62 

-2.20 - 80.92 

-2.82 -171.72 

-13.80 -171.75 

-13.92 -171.75 

-14.27 -171.72 

-14.30 -170.70 

-25.07 -1 30.10 

-27.08 -109.33 

-16.92 145.78 

-19.27 146.83 

-25.28 152.97 

-27.45 153.07 

-28.87 153.58 

-29.07 167.95 

-29.42 153.37 

-30.30 153.15 

-31.53 159.07 

-32.11 115.75 

-32.93 151.78 

-33.80 151.27 

-33.85 151.23 

-37.05 149.97 

-37.70 176.18 

-38.07 140.70 

-41.28 174.78 

-42.88 147.33 

-43.62 172.72 

45.78 170.67 

-45.82 170.65 

1.14 

0.48 

1.29 

2.2 

0.87 

0.42 

0.18 

1.5 

0.54 

0.12 

2.1 

6.4 

2.8 

4.2 

4.9 

0.69 

5.6 

6.3 

3.3 

0.21 

6.3 

2.2 

5.0 

3.15 

1.8 

0.36 

4.7 

0.99 

0.6 

1.89 

0.12 

4.9 

4.9 

4.9 

4.9 

12.2 

6.0 

0.03 

0.30 

0.18 

0.21 

0.06 

0.2 1 

0.63 

0.66 

0.30 

0.15 

1.68 

0.90 

0.24 

0.93 

0.33 

0.42 

0.57 

0.42 

NW. PACIFIC 

NW. PACIFIC 

NW. PACIFIC 

NW. PACIFIC 

NW. PACIFIC 

Nw. PACIFIC 

NW. PACIFIC 

NW. PACIFIC 

NW. PACIFIC 

NW. PACIFIC 

NW. PACIFIC 

NW. PACIFIC 

MJ. PACIFIC 

NW. PACIFIC 

NW. PACIFIC 

NW. PACIFIC 

NW. PACIFIC 

NW. PACIFIC 

NW. PACIFIC 

NU. PACIFIC 

NW. PACIFIC 

NW. PACIFIC 

NW. PACIFIC 

NW. PACIFIC 

NW. PACIFIC 

NW. PACIFIC 

NW. PACIFIC 

SW. PACIFIC 

SE. PACIFIC 

SE. PACIFIC 

SE. PACIFIC 

SE. PACIFIC 

SE. PACIFIC 

SE. PACIFIC 

SE. PACIFIC 

SE. PACIFIC 

SE. PACIFIC 

SW. PACIFIC 

SW. PACIFIC 

SW. PACIFIC 

SW. PACIFIC 

SW. PACIFIC 

SW. PACIFIC 

SW. PACIFIC 

SW. PACIFIC 

SW. PACIFIC 

SW. PACIFIC 

SW. PACIFIC 

SW. PACIFIC 

SW. PACIFIC 

SW. PACIFIC 

SW. PACIFIC 

SW. PACIFIC 

SW. PACIFIC 

SW. PACIFIC 

SW. PACIFIC 

SW. PACIFIC 

SW. PACIFIC 

NEW ZEALAND DUNEDIN -45.88 170.55 0.36 SW. PACIFIC 

69 
'ISCO' I i' li 

1 

115" 110" 105" 100" 95" 90" 85" 80" 75" 70" 

FIGURE 35. AREA OF PERU-CHILE COASTLINE AFFECTED 

BY CHILE TSUNAMI OF MAY 22, 1960 

70 
FIGURE 36. AREAS OUTSIDE PERU-CHILE REPORTING CHILE TSUNAMI 

OF MAY 22, 1960 
SOUTH CENTRAL CHlL 

(37OS-< 41" S) 

... 

Destructive 

Ts u n a m is L 1357 

FIGURE 37. NUMBER OF REPORTED OBSERVATIONS OF TSUNAMI 

EFFECTS PER DEGREE OF SOUTH CENTRAL CHILE COASTLINE 

n 
TABLE 25. SUMMARY OF DAMAGE AND NUMBER OF DEATHS CAUSED BY SOUTH CENTRAL CHILE TSUNAMIS 

EVENT DATE REPORTING CITY OR REGION EFFECTS DEATHS 

YEAR MO DA 

1562 10 28 CONCEPC I ON, CH I LE 1,500 KM OF COAST INUNDATED MANY 

1570 02 C8 CONCEPC I ON, CH I LE TOWN SUBMERGED 2,000 

1575 12 16 BAHIA CORRAL, CHILE TWO GALLEONS WRECKED 

VALDIVIA, CHILE HOUSES. POLES, TREES WASHED AWAY 1 00 

1960 05 22 CHILOE IS., CHILE MINOR DAMAGE 2 00 

VALDIVIA, CHILE TOWN EVASTATED 130 

MEWIN, CHILE 2 SHIPS LOST, AREA DEVASTATED 

ISLA MOCHA, CHILE ALMOST COMPLETE DESTRUCTION 

ALL OF CHILE $550 MILLION DAMAGE 1,000 

CRESCENT C I TY, CAL I FORN I A $30,000 DAMAGE, 2 SHIPS LOST 

WEST COAST $5 00,000 DAMAGE 

SAMOA ISLAND $50,000 DAMAGE 

OAHU ISLAND, HAWAII $250,000 DAMAGE 

ALL OF HAWAI I $75 MILLION DAMAGE 61 

JAPAN $50 MILLION DAMAGE, 

RABAUL, NEW BRITAIN BULK STORES FLOOOED 

4,885 STRUCTURES DAMAGED 199 

TABLE 26. CITIES AND AREAS ALONG COAST OF SOUTH CENTRAL CHILE THAT REPORTED TSUNAMIS 

FROM ALL SOURCE REGIONS 

S. W. 

EVENT DATE SOURCE REPORTING CITY OR REGION LAT. LONG. RUNUP DAMAGE 

YEAR MO DA SOUTH CENTRAL CHILE (M) 0 0 

1877 05 10 

1877 05 10 

1868 C8 13 

1868 OB 13 

1877 05 10 

1960 05 22 

1835 02 20 

1966 10 17 

1868 C8 13 

1960 05 22 

1868 C8 13 

1960 05 22 

1960 05 22 

1960 05 22 

1960 05 22 

1575 12 16 

1730 07 OB 

1835 02 20 

1837 1 1 07 

1877 05 10 

1960 05 22 

1868 08 13 

1960 05 22 

1975 11 29 

1837 11 07 

1877 05 10 

1960 05 22 

1877 05 10 

N. CHILE CORONEL 

N. CHILE LOTA 

N. CHILE LOTA 

N. CHILE ARAUCO 

N. CH I LE ARAUCO 

SC. CHILE ARAUCO 

C. CHILE ISLA MOCHA 

PERU LEBU 

N. CHILE LEBU 

SC. CHILE LEBU 

N. CHILE SAN VINCENTE DE CANETE 

SC. CHILE PTO. TIRNA 

SC. CHILE ISLA MOCHA 

SC. CHILE PTO. SAAVEDRA 

SC. CHILE MEHUIN 

SC. CHILE VALDlVlA 

NC. CHILE VALDIVIA 

C. CHILE VALDlVlA 

S. CHILE VALDlVlA 

N. CHILE VALDlVlA 

SC. CHILE VALDlVlA 

N. CHILE CORRAL 

SC. CHILE CORRAL 

HAWAI I CORRAL 

S. CHILE MANCERA ISLAND 

N. CHILE CORRAL BAY (ENSENADA) 

SC. CHILE MANSA RIVER 

N. CHILE PUERTO MONTT 

37.02 73.15 

37.08 73.17 

37.12 73.17 

37.25 73.32 

37.25 73.32 

37.25 73.32 

37.50 73.18 

37.62 73.72 

37.63 73.72 

37.63 73.72 

38.33 73.52 

38.33 73.90 

38.78 73.40 

39.43 73.22 

39.77 73.25 

39.77 13.25 

39.77 73.25 

39.77 73.25 

39.77 73.25 

39.80 73.24 

39.86 73.42 

39.86 73.42 

39.86 73.42 

39.87 73.40 

39.96 73.42 

40.55 73.76 

41.47 73.00 

3.0 

1.5 

0.3 

5.0 

X 

5.0 

25.0 X 

9.0 

15.0 X 

X 

X 

10.0 X 

4.0 

10.0 

1.7 

2.0 

0.6 

8.5 

73 
80. 

I 

45- - SOUTH CHILE .. .. 

(41 OS-6OoS) 

.... ..................................... - . 

I 

55.- .... ...................... ~ ............................ 

I 

FIGURE 38. EPICENTERS OF TSUNAMIGENIC EARTHQUAKES OF SOUTH CHILE 

[NUMBERS REFER TO EVENT NO. IN TABLE 27.1 

14 
SOUTH CHllE 

[41" S. - 60" S.] 

Region from 41" S. - 45" S. 

The coastline of South America changes dramatically at 41" S. latitude. From 

this point south, the coastline becomes irregular and has numerous islands, 

bays, and inlets. This indicates that the collision between the Pacific and 

South American Plates is not as pronounced in this area, and perhaps that the 

two plates are not being forced past one another as is occurring along the coast 

to the north. In the northern part of this region (near 41" S. latitude), 

earthquakes generated damagi ng tsunami s in 1633 and 1837. A damagi ng tsunami 

occurred at 44.6' S. latitude in 1929. 

Region from 45" S. - 53" S. 

South of the triple junction between the Peru-Chile trench and the Chile Ridge 

at 46" S. latitude, the oceanic part of the Antarctic Plate is being subducted 

beneath the South American Plate at a rate of about 2 cmlyear. Magnetic anomalies in the Southeast Pacific indicate that segments of the Chile Ridge collided 

with the southern part of the South American Continent 26 million years ago. 

Since that time, there has been a great decrease of volcanic activity on the 

Continent and a cessation of folding in the sedimentary basins (McCann, 1979). 

Region from 53" S. - 60" S. 

Seismic records are incomplete because of the recent settlement of the South 

American Continent near 53" S. latitude (McCann, 1979). Records that do exist, 

however, indicate that the seismicity is low. The earliest record of earthquake activity is the Magellan Strait earthquake of 1878 (mag. = 7-8?) (McCann, 

1979). Two large earthquakes occurred within a 10-hour period in 1949 (mag. = 

7.5), producing a rupture length of about 300 km. This region may not rupture 

in the near future, because the last rupture was in 1949. 

Table 27 lists the tsunamigenic earthquakes that have occurred in the South 

Chile region, together with information about the tsunamis they produced. (See 

table 1 for alternate data, erroneous dates, and events that appeared in the 

literature but are not believed to have been tsunamis.) The data included in 

table 27 are believed to be the most accurate available. Of the 11 events 

listed, three were damaging locally and one was reported in areas of the Pacific 

outside the west coast of South America. Two of the events have a validity 

rating of "4," indicating that the compilers of the data considered them to be 

true tsunamis. 

The literature gives some information about the size of the tsunami for six of 

the events in table 27. The size may have been indicated by a tsunami magnitude, a tsunami intensity, or a measured or estimated runup height. Of the six 

events that had such information, only two had reported runup heights of less 

than 1 meter. Figure 38 is a map of the earthquakes listed in table 27. 

Figure 39 shows the frequency of occurrence of the tsunamigenic earthquakes for 

each degree of the South Chile coastline. Shaded areas indicate the number of 

tsunamigenic earthquakes that caused damage. 

75 
Table 28 lists the dates of four tsunamis in South Chile and the cities outside 

the area that reported each event. An 'IX" in the damage column indicates that 

damage occurred at that city. If a value is not given for the runup height and 

an "X" does not appear in the damage column, then the event was reported in the 

literature but descriptive effect information was not given. 

Table 29 gives the names of cities outside the Peru-Chile area that were 

affected by the earthquake of Nov, 7, 1837, Primary effects occurred in Hawaii. 

Figure 40 shows the entent of the effects of this and other tsunamis. Table 30 

is a summary of property damage and number of deaths caused by three tsunamis in 

South Chile. 

Table 31 lists the areas along the coast of South Chile that reported tsunamis 

from all source regions. Chiloe Island reported two tsunamis generated in South 

Chile and three generated outside the area; three of the five tsunamis caused 

damage in the area. Chiloe Island, however, has not sustained devastating 

effects from tsunamis generated in South Chile, even though its location makes 

that is1 and parti cul arly vu1 nerabl e to tsunami s. 

Ancud, Chiloe Island, and Guafo have reported runup heights of 10 meters from 

past tsunamis. The fact that only a few sites have sustained damage throughout 

the long coastline in this region is remarkable, considering the number of 

devastating tsunamis generated in Peru and Chile and the degree of damage they 

have caused thousands of miles from Chile, This phenomena may be explained partially by the existence of few populated cities along this section of coastline 

and by the fact that the system of islands and inlets acts as an effective 

shield. Figure 41, a bar graph of the data shown in table 31, gives the number 

of tsunamis per degree of coastline. 

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 

A special thanks is extended to Jerry Coffman for editing the text and coordinating the project; to Herbert Meyers, Chief, Solid Earth Division, for providing administrative and technical assistance; and to Huyen Nguyen for 

assisting in compiling the data and preparing the maps and graphs. 

76 
TABLE 27. TSUNAMIGENIC EARTI-QUAKES OF SOUTH CHILE 

EARTHQUAKE DATA 

LAT. LONG. TUDE DEPTt 

EVENT EVENT TIM S. W. MAGN I - 0 0 (KM) 

NO. DATE 

YEAR MO DA 

7 * 1633 05 14 (41.8 74.0) 

17 1737 12 24 43.0 74.0 

26 *<le37 11 07 1130 42.5 74.0 8.5 

50 1871 12 28 (41.5 73.0) 

86 * 1927 11 21 2312 44.6 73.0 7.1 33 

100 1940 10 11 1841 41.5 74.5 7.0 33 

107 1949 12 17 0653 54.0 71.0 7.7 33 

108 1949 12 17 1508 54.0 71.0 7.7 33 

109 1950 01 30 0057 53.5 71.5 7.0 33 

127 1965 10 03 1615 42.9 75.2 6.5 31 

133 1970 06 14 0000 52.0 73.8 6.6 10 

TSUNAMI DATA 

MAGN I - 

RUNUP TUDE INTENSITY VALID1 

cn, 

2 .o 1 e5 

6 -0 3.0 3.0 4 

1 .o 0.5 

2.8 1 .o 2.0 4 

0.7 0 .o 

0.7 0.0 

REFERENCES 

9,m 

9,31,38 

1,5,9,10,31,38,52 

9,38 

1,9,10,18,20,38,51 

51 

51 

51 ,38 

51 

51 

51 

erlved from 

TABLE 28. EFFECTS IN PERU-CHILE OF TSUNAMIS GENERATED IN SOUTH CHILE 

S. W. 

EVENT DATE COUNTRY REPORTING CITY CR REGION LAT. LONG. RUNUP DAMAGE 

YEAR MO DA (M 1 

1633 05 14 CHILE CHI LOE ISLAND 42.50 73.92 X 

1837 11 07 CHILE MANCERA ISLAND 39.87 73.40 2.0 

0 8 

CHILE ISLAND 42.50 73.92 

VAL0 IV I A 39.77 73.25 

1927 11 21 CHILE PUERTO AlSEN 45.45 72.97 X 

1949 12 17 CHILE PORVENIR (ADMIRALTY BAY) 53.25 70.27 

GABRIEL STRAIT 61.76 65.50 

TABLE 29. EFFECTS OUTSIDE PERU-CHILE OF TSUNAMIS GENERATED IN SOUTH CHILE 

S. W. 

0 0 QUADRANT EVENT DATE COUNTRY REPORTIS CITY OR REGION LAT. LONG. RUNUP DAMAGE PAC1 F IC 

YEAR MO DA (M 1 

1837 11 07 HAWAI I 

HAWAI I 

HAWAI I 

HAWAI I 

HAWAI I 

HAWAI I 

HAWAI I 

JAPAN 

W. SAMOA 

AM. SAMOA 

TONGA IS. 

KAU 

KAAHELU 

KANOKAPA 

HI LO 

KAHULUI (MAUI I.) 

LAHA I NA 

HONOLULU 

NE. HONSHU 

APIA 

PAGO PAGO 

VAVAU 

NE. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

NE. PACIFIC 

19.70 -155.07 6.0 X NE. PACIFIC 

20.93 -156.48 X NE. PACIFIC 

20.95 -155.68 2.5 NE. PACIFIC 

21.32 -157.83 NE. PACIFIC 

NU. PACIFIC 

-13.80 -171.75 SE. PACIFIC 

-14.27 -171.72 SE. PACIFIC 

-18.36 -174.00 SE. PACIFIC 

n 
TABLE 30. SUMMARY OF DAMAGE AND NUMBER OF DEATHS CAUSED BY SOUTH CHILE TSUNAMIS 

NO. OF 

EVENT DATE REPORTING CITY OR REGION EFFECTS DEATHS 

YEAR MO DA 

1633 05 14 CHILE ISLAND HOUSES WASHED AWAY SOME 

1837 11 07 HlLO (HAWAII I.) 

KAHULUI (MAUI I.) 

66 HOUSES DESTROYED 

1927 11 21 PUERTO AISEN, CHILE BOAT TRANSPORTED TO TREE TOP 

14 

2 

TABLE 31. CITIES AND AREAS ALONG THE COAST OF SOUTH CHILE THAT REPORTED TSUNAMIS 

FROM ALL SOURCE REGIONS 

EVENT DATE SOURCE REPORTING CITY 

YEAR MO DA REGION IN SOUTH CHILE 

S. W. 

UT. LONG. RUNUP MAE 0 0 (M 1 

1868 08 13 

1877 05 10 

1960 05 22 

1633 05 14 

1835 02 20 

1837 11 07 

1868 08 13 

1960 05 22 

1960 05 22 

1960 05 22 

1927 11 21 

1960 05 22 

1949 12 17 

1949 12 17 

N. CHILE 

N. CHILE 

SC. CHILE 

S. CHILE 

C. CHILE 

S. CHILE 

N. CHILE 

SC. CHILE 

SC. CHILE 

SC. CHILE 

S. MILE 

SC. CHILE 

S. CHILE 

S. CHILE 

ANCUD 

ANCUD 

ANCUD 

CHILOE ISLAND 

CHlLOE ISLAND 

CHILOE ISLAND 

CHILOE ISLAND 

CHILOE ISLAND 

GUAFO 

PUERTO AISEN 

PUERTO AISEN 

PUNTA ARENAS 

PORVENIR (ADMIRALTY BAY) 

GABRIEL STRAIT 

41.87 

41.87 

41.87 

42.50 

42.50 

42.50 

42.50 

42 30 

43.58 

45.45 

45.45 

53.17 

53.25 

61.76 

73.83 

73.83 

73.83 12.0 

73.92 

73.92 

73.92 

73.92 

73.92 10.0 

74.83 10.0 

72.97 3.0 

72.97 

70.93 0.4 

70.27 

65.50 

X 

X 

X 

X 

78 
CHILOE 

4r44& 

46'. 

SOUTH CHILE 

(4 Io S - 60° S ) 

Destructive 

Ts u nom is 

FIGURE 39. NUMBER OF TSUNAMIGENIC EARTHQUAKES PER DEGREE 

OF SOUTH CHILE COASTLINE 

79 
FIGURE 40. AREAS OUTSIDE PERU-CHILE REPORTING THE 

TSUNAMIS OF JULY 8, 1730; MAY 25, 1751; APRIL 11, 

1819; FEB. 20, 1835; AND NOV. 7, 1837 

80 
42'- 

44'- 

46'- 

CHILE 

-60"s) 

Destructive 

Tsunamis 

ao/ 

Fig. 41. Number of reported observations of tsunami 

effects per degree of South Chile coastline. 

--.-cc 

I I I I 1 

2 3 4 5 

FIGURE 41. NUMBER OF REPORTED OBSERVATIONS OF TSUNAMI 

EFFECTS PER DEGREE OF SOUTH CHILE COASTLINE 

81 
- 

dam 

w/Ch 

FIGURE 42. REMOTE-SOURCE TSUNAMIS REPORTED IN PERU-CHILE 
BIBLIOGRAPHY 

Abe, K., 1972: Mechanisms and tectonic implication of the 1966 and 1970 Peru 

earthquakes, Phys. Earth Planet. Inter., v. 5, p. 367-379. 

Abe, K., 1979: Size of Great Earthquakes of 1837-1974 inferred from tsunami 

data, J. Geophys. Res., v. 84, No. 4, p. 1561-1568. 

Alvarez, Leonardo, 1963: Studies made between Arauco and Valdivia with 

respect to the earthquakes of 21 and 22 May 1960; Bull. Seis. SOC. Am., 

v. 53, p. 1315-1330. 

Andrade, Alberto, 1960: El maremoto del 22 de Mayo de 1960, Boletin 

Inforrnacion del Dept. de Navigaciones e Hidrografta de la Armada de 

Chile, v. 16, 11 pp. 

Anonymous, 1960: The Report on the Tsunami of the Chilean Earthquake, 1960, 

Japanese Meterological Agency Technical Report, 1963 lf26, 99 pp. 

Anonymous, 1962: Chilean Earthquake Tsunami, 1960, the Ofanato City, Iwate 

Prefecture, 465 pp. 

Anonymous, March 1965: A Supplement to the Report on the Tsunami of the 

Chilean Earthquake, Marine Observatory Knobe, Japan, Bulletin. No. 174, 

p. 21-27. 

Arabasz, W.J., 1968: Geologic structure of the Taltal area, northern Chile, 

in relation to the earthquake of December 28, 1966, Bull. Seis. SOC. Am., 

V. 58, p. 835-842.. 

Arana Barros, D., 1902: General History of Chile, v. 2, p. 372. 

Berkman, S.C., and J.M. Symons, 1960: The Tsunami of May 22, 1960 as Recorded 

at the Tidal Station, U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey, 79 pp. 

Berninghausen, W.H., 1962: Tsunamis reported from the west coast of South 

America 1562-1960, Bull. Seis. SOC. Am., v. 52, p. 915-921. 

Berninghausen, W. H., 1962: Tsunami reported from the west coast of South 

America, Bull, Seismol. SOC. Am., v. 52, p. 915-921. 

Bobillier, C., 1933: History of the Sea Waves in Chile from 1562 to 1932, 

Bol. Serv. Sismol, v. 23, p. 34-41. 

Bretschneider, C.L., and P.G. Wybro, 1976: Tsunami Inundation Prediction, 

reprinted from Proceedings of 15th Coastal Engineering Conference, 

University of Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii, (ACSE), p. 1006-1024. 

Bruggen, J.O., 1950: Fundamentos de la Geologic de Chile, Santiago de Chile, 

Inst. Geographie Militar, 374 pp. 

Brune, J. N., Hugo Benioff, and Maurice Ewing, 1961 : Long-period surface waves 

from the Chilean earthquake of May 22, 1960, recorded on linear strain 

seismographs, J. Geophys. Res., v. 66, p. 2895-2910. 

83 
Cateora, J.V., D.W. Hanson, and D.D. Davis, 1978: Automatic Path Delay 

Corrections to GOES (Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites) 

Satellite Time Broadcasts, Report No. NBS-TN-1003, National Bureau of 

Standards, Time and Frequency Division, Boulder, CO, 52 pp. 

Chawa, R., 1975: Some Features of Tsunamis on the Pacific Coast of South and 

North America, Manuscript Report Series 36, Marine Science Directorate, 

Canada, 34 pp. 

Chen, Tzann-Hwang, 1981 : The seismicity of forearc marginal wedges 

(accretionary prisms) and seismotectonics of convergent margins, abs., 

University of Texas at Dallas Ph.D. dissertation, Dissertation Abstracts 

International, v. 42/06-B, p. 2276. 

Comer, R.P., 1979: Tsunami Height and Earthquake Magnitude: Theoretical 

Basis of an Empirical Relation, American Geophysical Union, San 

Francisco, 874 pp. 

Cox, Doak Carey, 1965: Studies of tsunamis, abs., Harvard University Ph.D. 

dissertation, Dissertation Abstracts International, v. x1965, p. 130. 

Cox, Doak C., and George Pararas-Carayannis, 1976: Catalog of Tsunamis In 

Alaska, SE-1, U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and 

Atmospheric Administration, March 1976, 43 p. 

Cox, Doak C., Pacific tsunami historic file, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration, Boulder, Colorado, unpublished manuscript. 

Cox, Doak C., Kumizi Iida, and George Pararas-Carayannis, 1967: Preliminary 

Catalog of Tsunamis Occurring in the Pacific Ocean, University of Hawaii, 

274 P. 

Cuming, H., 1940: On the earthquake in Chile, November 19, 1822, Transactions 

of the Geological Society, London, v. 5, No. 2., p. 263-265. 

Duda, Sewsryn J., Oct. 1, 1963: Strain release in the circum-Pacific belt, 

Chile: 1960, J. Geophys. Res., v. 68, No. 19, p. 5531-5544. 

Duke, C.M., 1960: The Chilean earthquake of May 1960, Science, v. 132, No. 

3442, p. 1797-1802. 

Farreras, S. F. : Tsunami resonant conditions of Concepcion Bay (Chile) , Centro 

de Investigacion Cientifica y Education Superior .de Ensenada, Ensenada, 

Baja California, Mexico, p. 355-360. 

Ferro, Enrique Silgado, 1974: Historia de 10s Grandes Tsunamis Producidos en 

la Costa Occidental de America del Sur, Centro Regional de Sismologia 

para America del Sur, Lima, 19 pp. 

Garcia, A.W., September 1976: Effect of Source Orientation and Location in 

the Peru-Chile Trench on Tsunami Amplitude Along the Pacific Coast of the 

Continental United States, Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Station, 

Vicksburg, MS, Research Report H-76-2, 48 pp. 

a4 
Gaulon, R., July/Sept. 1962: Vitesse de groupe et vitesse de phase des endes 

de Love entre 160 et 315 secondes de periode (Group and phase velocities 

of Love waves at periods from 160 to 315 secondes), Ann. Geophysics, 

Paris, v. 18, No. 3, p. 298-299. 

Goring, Derek Garard, 1979: Tsunamis--the propagation of long waves onto a 

shelf, abs., California Institute of Technology Ph.D. dissertation, 

Dissertation Abstracts International, v. 39/12-B, p. 6033. 

Graham, M., 1924A: Journal of a Residence in Chile during the Year 1822, 

Ballham, London, p. 305-339. 

Graham, M., 1824B: An account of some effects of the late earthquake in 

Chile, Transactions of the Geological Society, London, Series 11, v. 1, 

p. 413-500. 

Grover, J.C., 1965: Comments on the Chilean seismic seawave effects on 

the British Solomon Islands, May 23-24, 1960, in Reports on the geology 

mineral occurrences, petroleum possibilities, volcanoes and seismicity in 

the Solomon Islands, British Solomon Islands Geol. Rec., v. 2 (1959-621, 

p. 197-199. 

Hammack, Joseph Leonard, Jr., 1972: Tsunamis--a model of their generation and 

propagation, abs., California Institute of Technology Ph.D. dissertation, 

Dissertation Abstracts International, v. 33/06-B, p. 2594. 

Hanson, D.W., J.V. Cateora, and D.D. Davis, 1976: A time code from NOAA's 

Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites, Annual Precise Time 

and Time Interval 8th ADDlications 1. and Planninn - Meetinn. VI Greenbelt. MD. 

p. 105-124. 

Hatori, T., 1981 : Colombia-Peru tsunamis observed along the coast of Japan, 

1960-1970, Bulletin of the Earthquake Research Institute (in Japanese 

with English abstract), University of Tokyo, v. 56, No. 3, p. 535-546. 

Hatori, T., I. Aida, S. Iwasaki, and T. Hibiya, 1981: Surveys of the city of 

Owase inundated by the tsunamis of Tonankai 1944, of Chile 1960, and of 

Ansei 1854, Bulletin of the Earthquake Research Institute, University of 

Tokyo, V. 56, NO. 1, p. 245-263. 

Hatori, T., I. Aida, M. Koyama, and T. Hibiya, 1982: Field survey of the 

tsunamis inundating Ofunato City; the 1960 Chile and 1933 Sanriku 

Tsunamis, Bulletin of the Earthquake Research Institute, University of 

Tokyo, V. 57, NO. 1, p. 133-150. 

Hayes, D.E., 1966: Geophysical investigation of the Peru-Chile trench, Marine 

Geology, v. 4, p. 309-351. 

Hebenstreit, Gerald T., October 1981: Assessment of Tsunami Hazard Presented 

by Possible Seismic Events: Far-Field Effects (Final Report Mar.-May 

1981), Science Applications, Inc., McLean, VA, 384 pp. 

85 
Hebenstreit, Gerald T., and Robert E. Whitaker, November 1981 : Assessment of 

Tsunami Hazard Presented by Possible Seismic Events: Near-Source 

Effects, Science Applications, Inc., McLean, VA, 277 pp. 

Hebenstreit, Gerald T., and Paul F. Krumpe, May 1982: United States Foreign 

Assistance Program on Tsunami Hazard, Science Applications, Inc., McLean, 

VA, 25 pp. 

Heck, N.H., 1947: List of Seismic Sea Waves, Bull. Seis. SOC. Am., v. 37, 

p. 269-286 

Heitner, Kenneth Leon, 1969: A mathematical model for calculation of the 

runup of tsunamis, abs., California Institute of Technology Ph.D. 

dissertation, Dissertation Abstracts International, v. X1969, p. 163. 

Herd, P.G., C. Mendoza, T.L. Youd, H. Meyer, C. Arango, and W.J. Person, 1981: 

Great Tumaco, Colombia Earthquake of 12 December 1979, Science, v. 21 1, 

No. 4481, p. 441-445. 

Hill, Gordon Arthur, 1980: Numerical simulation of free surface flows, abs., 

The University of Saskatchewan, Canada, Ph.D. dissertation, Dissertation 

Abstracts International, v. 42105-B, p. 1964. 

Hisamoto, S., and C. Murayama, March 1962: Drawing the wave fronts of the 

Chilean tsunami of May 23, 1960, Q.J. Seismological Meteorology Agency, 

Tokyo, V. 26, NO. 4, p. 109-1111. 

Hochstetter, Von F., 1868: On the earthquake in Peru on August 13, 1868, and 

the tsunami caused thereby in the Pacific Ocean, (in German), 

Zitzungsber. d. K. Akad. d. Wissensch., Vienna, v. 58, No. 4, p. 837-860. 

Houston, James Robert, 1978: Tsunami interaction with coastlines and 

elevation predictions, abs., University of Florida Ph.D. dissertation, 

Dissertation Abstracts International, v. 39/07-B, p. 3453. 

Houston, J.R., January 1978: Interaction of tsunamis with the Hawaiian 

Islands calculated by a finite-element numerical model, Journal of 

Physical Oceanography, Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Station, 

Vicksburg, MS, v. 8, No. 1, p. 93-102. 

Hwang, Li-San, and David Dwoky, March 1975: Numerical Investigations of 

Tsunami Behavior (Final Report), Tetra Tech, Inc., Pasadena, CA, 38 pp. 

Japan Meteorological Agency, 1963: Report on the Tsunami of the Chilean 

Earthquake, 1960: Tokyo, 93 pp. 

Instituto Hidrografico de la Armada, Chile, 1982: Maremotos en la Costa de 

Chile, la Edicion, I.H.A. Pub. 3016, 46 pp. 

Isozaki, Ichiro, and Unoki Sanae, 1964: The numerical computation of the 

tsunami in Tokyo Bay caused by the Chilean earthquake in May 1960, 

Studies on Oceanography--A Collection of Papers Dedicated to Koji Hidaka, 

Tokyo University Press, p. 389-402. 

86 
Ito, Yoshiyuki, 1969: On the effect of Ofunato tsunami-breakwater against 

1968 tsunami, 13th Congress of the International Association for 

Hydraulic Research, August 31 -September 5, 1969, Proceedings, vol. 3, 

Science Council of Japan, Kyoto, p. 85-93. 

Iwasaki, T., and K. Horikawa, 1960: Tsunami caused by Chile earthquake in May 

1960 and outline of disasters in northeastern coasts of Japan, Journal of 

Coastal Engineering, v. 3., p. 33-52. 

Jordan, J.N., 1961: Some aspects of Chilean earthquakes of 1960, Geotimes, 

v. 5, No. 5, p. 8-11. 

Kato, Y., Z. Suzuki, K. Nakamura, and A. Takagi, 1961: The Chile tsunami of 

May 24, 1960, observed along the Sanriku Coast at Japan, Report on the 

Chile Tsunami, Field Investigation Committee for Chilean Tsunami, 

Earthquake Research Institute, University of Tokyo, p. 66-76. 

Keitner, Kenneth Leon, 1969: A mathematical model for calculation of the 

runup of tsunamis, abs., California Institute of Technology Ph.D. 

dissertation, Dissertation Abstracts International, v. 30/09-B, p. 4182. 

Kelleher, J.A., 1972: Ruptur,e zones of large South American earthquakes and 

some predictions, J. Geophys. Res., v. 77, No. 11, p. 2087-2103. 

Kelleher , J., and McCann, W., 1976: Lamont Doherty Geological Observatory, 

Palisades, NY 10964.; J. Geophys. Res., v. 81, No. 26, p. 4885-4896. 

King, David Randall, 1978: The wave field on a shelf resulting from point 

source generation, wit,h application to tsunamis, abs., University of 

British Columbia, Canada, Ph.D. dissertation, Dissertation Abstracts 

International, v. 39/12-B, p. 5814. 

Knowles, Charles Ernest, 1970: The inverse tsunami problem for symmetric 

islands of simple shape, abs., Texas A&M University Ph.D. dissertation, 

Dissertation Abstracts International, v. 31/05-B, p. 2859. 

Linneman, C., 1919: Sketch of the terremoto of Copiapo, Bol. Minero SOC. 

Nacion. de Mineria, p. 412-420. 

Lepelletier, Thierry Georges, 1981 : Tsunamis--harbor oscillations induced by 

nonlinear transient long waves, abs., California Institute of Technology 

Ph. D. dissertation, Dissertation Abstracts International, v. 41 /12-B, p. 

4601. 

Lomnitz, Cinna, 1971: Crandes terrementos y tsunamis en Chile durante el 

periodo 1535-1955 (Strong earthquakes and tsunamis in Chile during the 

period 1535-1955), Geofis. Panam., v. 1, No. 1, p. 151-178. 

Lomnitz, Cinna., 1970: Major earthquakes and tsunamis in Chile during the 

period 1535-1955 (in Latin America), Geol. Rundschau (incl. Ger., Span., 

RIMS. SUDMI.), V. 59, No* 3, P* 938-9600 

McKinnon, William Beall, 1981 : Large impact craters and basins: mechanics 

syngenetic and postgenetic modification, abs., California Institute of 

07 
Technology Ph.D. dissertation, Dissertation Abstracts International, v. 

41108-B, p. 2939. 

McCann, W.R., S.P. Nishenko, L.R. Sykes, and J. Krause, 1979: Seismic 

potential for major boundaries, Columbia Pure and Applied 

Geophysics (Columbia University, Lamont Doherty Geological 

Observatory, Palisades, NY), v. 117, No. 6, p. 1082-1147. 

Miller, Gaylord Riggs, 1964: Tsunamis and tides, abs., University of 

California, San Diego Ph.D. dissertation, Dissertation Abstracts 

International, v. 25/05, p. 3046. 

Miyoshi, Hisashi, 1968: Reconsideration on directivity of the tsunami (in 

Japanese with English abs.), Zisin I. Seismol. SOC., Ser. 2., v. 21, No. 

1, p. 121-138. 

Moor, R., March 1978: Improvement study.for the Parachique Tidal Inlet, 

Coastal Engineering, v. 1, No. 4, p. 323-348. 

Montessus De Ballore, F. de, 1910: Provisional list of the principal seismic 

phenomena occurring in the southern Andes south of the 16th parallel (in 

Spanish), Bol. Serv. Seismol. de Chile, Anales University of Chile, v. 

126, p. 646-651. 

Montessus De Ballore, F. de, 1911A: Seismic history of the southern Andes (in 

Spanish), Anales of the University of Chile, v. 128, p. 1-206, 612-678. 

Montessus De Ballore, F. de, 1911B: Seismic history of the southern Andes (in 

Spanish), Anales of the University of Chile, - v. 129, p. 1-60, 605-652. 

Montessus De Ballore, F. de, 1912A: Seismic history of the southern Andes (in 

Spanish), Anales of the University of Chile, v. 130, p. 545-592. 

Montessus De Ballore, F. de, 1912B: Seismic history of the southern Andes (in 

Spanish), Anales of the University of Chile, v. 131, p. 33-78. 

Montessus De Ballore, F. de, 1913A: Seismic history of the southern Adnes (in 

Spanish), Anales of the University of Chile, v. 132, p. 129-176, 

251 -298. 

Momoi, Takao, December 1962: Effects of coastlines on the tsunami: Some 

remarks on the Chilean tsunami (in three parts), Bulletin of the 

Earthquake Research Institute, University of Tokyo, v. 40, NO. 4; Pt. 1, 

p. 719-732; Pt. 2, p. 733-346; Pt. 3, p. 747-757. 

Morgan, Joseph Richard, 1978: The tsunami hazard in the Pacific: 

institutional responses in Japan and the United States, abs., University 

of Hawaii Ph.D. dissertation, Dissertation Abstracts International, v. 

X1978. 

Munk, Walter H., 1947: Increase in the period of waves traveling over large 

distances: with applications to tsunamis, swell, seismic surface waves, 

abs., University of California Ph.D. dissertation, Dissertation Abstracts 

International, v. W1947, p. 30. 

88 
Murata, Kiguma Jack, 1961: Vigil for disaster, Geotimes, v. 5, No. 5, p. 

12-13. 

Murty, T.S., S.O. Wigen, and R. Chawla, 1975: Some Features of Tsunamis on 

the Pacific Coast of South and North America, Ottawa, Ontario, Marine 

Sciences Directorate, Manuscript Report Series No. 36, 37 pp. 

Nakamura, S., 1973: On an effect of river discharge to tsunami in a model of 

Urado Bay, Volume 111; Proceedings of the International Association for 

Hydraulic Research Symposium on River Mechanics, Bangkok, Thailand, 

January 9-12, 1373 (4 vol.), Asian Inst. of Technology, Bangkok, 

Thailand, p. 183-1 94. 

Nakamura, S., 1976: An Experimental Study on Transformation and Runup of 

Long-Period Waves on A Gentle Slope of a Beach, Kyoto University, 

Disaster Prevention Res. Institute, Bull. 26, Pt. 4, p. 195-211. 

Nakamura, S., 1978: On transformation of tsunamis in a coastal zone, Kyoto 

University, Marine Tech. Society Journal, v. 12, No. 1, p. 22-25. 

Nakamura, S., U. Iwagaki, and Y. Tsuchiya, 1970: Model study of 

transformation of tsunamis in Urado Bay, 12th Coastal Engineering 

Conference Proceedings, (Washington, D.C., September 13-1 8, 19701, v. 3, 

American Society of Civil Engineers, New York, p. 2089-2102. 

Nakamura, K. and N. Watamabe, 1961 : Tsunami forerunner observed in the case 

of the Chile tsunami of 1960, Report on the Chilean Tsunami, Field 

Investigation Committee for the Chilean Tsunami, Earthquake Research 

Institute, University of Tokyo, p. 82-99. 

Omori, F., 1901 : On tsunamis or destructive sea-waves in Japan, Reports of 

the Imperial Earthquake Investigation Commission, v. 34, p. 5-79. 

Ornori, F., 1907A: Notes on the Valparaiso and Aleutian earthquakes of 

August 17, 1906 (in Japanese), Bulletin 1mperl.al Earthquake Investigation 

Commission, v. 1, No. 2, p. 75-113. 

Pararas-Caryannis, George, May 1969: Catalog of Tsunamis in the Hawaiian 

Islands, World Data Center-A, Boulder, CO, Report No. WDCA-T-69-2, 98 pp. 

Pararas-Caryannis, G., 1975: The tsunami of October 3, 1974 in Peru, 

Newsletter, International Tsunami Informat ion Center, Hawaii, v. 8, p. 

18-21. 

Pararas-Carayannis, George, 1977: Catalog of Tsunamis in Hawaii, SE-4, U.S. 

Department of Commerce,National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 

March 1977, 77 p. 

Plafker, G., and J.C. Savage, 1970: Mechanism of the Chilean Earthquakes of 

May 21 and 22, 1960, Bull. Geological Society of America, v. 81, No. 4, 

p. 1001-1030. 

89 
Popov, G.I., 1964: Tectonic and seismic conditions of tsunami formation near 

the coast of Chile, Okeanologiya, v. 4, No. 1, p. 74-80. 

Raichlen, F., 1970: Tsunamis: some laboratory and field observations, 

Proceedings: Twelfth Coastal Engineering Conference, September 13-18, 

1970, Washington, D.C., v. 3, Am. Society of Civil Engineers, New York, 

p. 21 03-21 21 . 

Republica De Chile, Departamento De Navegacion E Hidrografia De La Armada, 

1961 : El Maremoto del 22 de Mayo de 1960 en las Costos de Chile, 

Publicacion No. 2013. 

Rikitake, T., 1976: Recurrence of great earthquakes at subduction zones, 

Japan, Tectonophysics, v. 35, No. 4, p. 335-362. 

Royer, Thomas Clark, 1969: The detection of a multiple tsunami phenomenon, 

abs., Texas A&M University Ph.D. dissertation, Dissertation Abstracts 

International, v. 31/01-B, p. 308. 

Saint-Amand, Pierre, 1961: Los Terremotos de Mayo - Chile 1960, an Eyewitness 

Account of the Greatest Catastrophe in Recent History, U.S. Naval 

Ordinance Test Station, China Lake, CA, Tech. Art. 14, 39 pp. 

Salas, P.A., 1976: Evaluacion de riesso de tsunami para la costa norte de 

Chile entre paralelos 18 y 24 degrees S ( Tsunami risk for the northern 

coast of Chile between 18 degrees and 24 degrees S), Segundas jornadas 

Chilenas de Sismologia e ingenieria antisismica, Santiago, Chile, July 

26-30, 1976, Jornadas, Chile, Sismol. Ing. Antisismica, publ. 2, v. 11, 

p. F4.1-F4.15, 15 pp. 

Salsman, G.G., 1959: The Tsunami of March 28, 1964, as Recorded at Tide 

Stations, U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey, Tech. Bull. No. 6, 18 pp. 

Savage, J.C., and L.M. Hastie, 1966: Surface deformation associated with 

dip-slip faulting, J. Ceophys. Res., v. 71, p. 4897-4904. 

Sievers, C., and A. Hellmuth, 1961: El Maremoto del 22 de mayo de 1960 en las 

Costas de Chile, Departamento de Navegacion e Hidrografia, 129 pp. 

Sievers, H.A., Guillermo Villegas, and Guillermo Barros, 1963: The seismic 

sea wave of 22 May 1960 along the Chilean coast: Bull. Seis. SOC. Am., 

V. 53, p. 1125-1190. 

Silgado, E., 1978: Recurrence of Tsunamis in the Western Coast of South 

America, Marine Geodesy, v. 1, No. 4, p. 347-354. 

Sillitoe, R.H., 1974: Tectonic segmentation of Andes--implications for 

magnetism and melonogeny, Nature, v. 250, No. 5467, P. 542-545. 

Skridulis, James Charles, 1980: Tidal motion in Long Island Sound, abs., 

University of Connecticut Ph.D. dissertation, Dissertation Abstracts 

International, v. 41102-B, p. 634. 

90 
Soloviev, S.L., and Ch. N. Go, 1975: Catalogue of Tsunamis of the Eastern 

Shore of the Pacific Ocean (in Russian). Academy of Science U.S.S.R., 

Moscow, 204 pp. 

Spaeth, M.G., and S.C. Berkman, 1967: The Tsunami of March 28, 1964, as 

Recorded at Tide Stations, U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey, Tech. Rept. 

33, 86 PP. 

Swift, S.A., and M.H. Carr, 1975: Segmented nature of Chilean seismic zone, 

Phys. Earth Planet. Inter., v. 9, No. 3, p. 183-191. 

Symons, J.M., and B.D. Zetler, 1960: The Tsunami of May 22, 1960 as Recorded 

at Tide Stations, Preliminary Report, U.S. Department of Commerce, Coast 

and Geodetic Survey, Washington, D.C., 29 pp. 

Takahasi, R., 1961: Report on the Chilean Tsunami of May 24, 1960, as 

Observed along the coast of Japan, Committee for Field Investigation of 

the Chilean Tsunami of 1960, Tokyo, 395 pp. 

Takahasi, R., 1963: A summary report on the Chilean tsunami of May 24, 1960, 

as observed along the coast of Japan, International Union of Geodesy and 

Geophysics Monograph, 1963, No. 24, p. 77-96. 

Takahasi, Ryutaro, and Tokutaro Hatori, 1961: A summary report on the Chilean 

tsunami of May 1960, The Chilean Tsunami of May 24, 1960, Maruszen Co. 

Ltd., Tokyo, p. 23-24. 

Tanaka, Torao, 1974: Ground tilt and strain caused by the Chilean tsunami of 

May 24, 1960, Zisin J. Seismol. Soc., Tokyo, v. 27, No. 3, p. 239-245. 

Tanaka, T., Y. Ono, and T. Ishise, 1980: The open boundary value problems in 

ocean dynamics by finite elements, Finite Elements in Water Resources, v. 

2 (Preprints of the 3rd International Conference (2 vol.), Mississippi 

University, Oxford, May 19-23, 19801, p. 5.47-5.63. 

Tazieff, H., 1976: Horizontal landslides during the 1960 Chile earthquakes, 

Catastrophist Geol., v. 1, No. 2, p. 27-32. 

Tillotson, E., 1962: Earthquake swarm in Chile beginning in May 1960, Nature, 

v. 195, NO. 4843, p. 763-765. 

Ueno, Takeo, 1965: Numerical computations for the Chilean earthquake tsunami, 

Oceanographical Magazine, v. 17, Nos. 1-2, p. 87-94. 

Vasquez, H.G., and J.M. E.spineira, 1976: Estudio de effectos de un tsunami 

potencial en la bahia de Valparaiso (Effects of a possible tsunami in the 

Valparaiso Bay), Segundas Jornada Chilenas de sismologia e ingegnieria 

antisismica Santiago, Chile, July 26-30, 1976, Jornadas Chil. Sismol. 

Ing. Antisismica, Publ. 2, v. 11, p. R3.1-F3.12. 

Vasquez, Hernan and Codoy, Joaquln Monge Espineira: Metodologia para la 

Evaluacion del Riesgo de Tsunami, Departamento de Obras Civiles, Seccion 

Estructuras, Publicacion SES 13-75, Universidad de Chile. 

91 
Vastano, Andrew Charles, 1967: A numerical study of the tsunami response at 

an island, abs., Texas A&M University Ph.D. dissertation, Dissertation 

Abstracts International, v. 28106-B, p. 2550. 

Wadati, K., and Sato, H., March 1965: Propagation of T-Waves in the Pacific 

Ocean, Geophysical Magazine, v. 32, No. 3, P. 255-271. 

Watanabe, Hideo, 1962: The motion of tsunami at the inner part of bays, 

especially on the distribution of maximum height of tsunami, - J. 

Oceanography Society, Japan, 20th Anniversary Vol., p. 330-345. 

Watanabe, Takeo, and Juan Karzulovic, 1960 : Los movimientos sismicos del mes 

de Mayo de 1960 en Chile (The seismic activity of the month of May 1960 

in Chile), Chile Univ., Santiago, Anales de la Facultad de Ciencieas, 

Fisicas, y Matematicas, v. 17, p. 39-90. 

Weischet, Wolfgang, 1960: Contribuciones a1 Estudio de las Transfarmaciones 

Geograficas en la Parte Septentrional del Sur. de Chile por efecto del 

Sismo del 22 de May 1960 (Contributions to the Study of the Geographical 

Transformations in the Northern Part of the South of Chile for the 

Effects of the Earthquake of 22 May, 1960), University of Chile, 

Institute of Geology Publ. No. 15. 

Wesichet, Wolfgang, 1962: Eine Landscaft verandert ihr Antilitz: die 

Naturkatastrophe in Chile (A landscape changes its face; the natural 

disaster in Chile), Pt. 1 and Pt. 2, Umaschau, Frankfurt A.M., v. 62, No. 

2, p. 33-36, V. 62, NO. 3. 

Wellis, B., 1929: Earthquake Conditions in Chile, Carnegie Institute, Publ. 

No. 382, 178 pp. 

Wigen, S.O., 1960: Tsunami of May 22, 1960, West Coast of Canada, Canadian 

Hydrographic Service. 

Wilson. Bmil W., May 1971: Tsunami responses of San Pedro Bay and Shelf, 

Ca-lifornia, ACSE Proceedings, Journal of the Waterway, Harbors and 

Coastal Engineering Division, v. 97, No. WW2, Paper 8107, p. 239-258. 

Wilson, Basil W., and Alf Torum, 1968: The Tsunami of the Alaskan Earthquake 

1964--Engineering Evaluation, U.S. Army Corps. of Engineers Coastal Eng. 

Research Center, Tech. Memo 25, 444 pp. 

92 
APPENDIX 

SUMMARY TABLES AND RELATED DATA 

Table I surmarites available earthquake and tsunami-related data for six source 

regions along the Peru-ChiIe coast. Because the length of coastline for each 

region varies, the size of each region should be considered before carrparing 

data presented in the table. 

Table I1 sunnarizes the effects of Pacific-wide tsunamis caused by Peru-Chile 

earthquakes. Hawaii and Japan have been affected or damaged by these events 

more frequently than any other country. Mexico, Central Plmerica, CoIorrl,ia, and 

Ecuador reported only by the May 22, 1960, event. The occurrence of the 1868 

and 1877 earthquakes in North Chile; the 1906 earthquake in Central Chile; the 

1922 earthquake in North Central Chile; and the May 22, 1960, earthquake in 

South Central Chile is supporting evidence for the hypothesis that major tsunamigenic events migrate south along the western coast of South America and then 

return to the north to begin the sequence again. An event in November 1960 in 

Peru may mark the beginning of another north-south sequence of events. 

Seven earthquakes in the North and West Pacific have generated tsunamis that 

were reported in Peru and Chile (see fig. 42). Table 111 gives information 

about these tsunamis, four of which caused damage in Chile. Tsunamis that 

affect Chile most often occur in the North Pacific--in the Kamchatka 

Peninsula/Aleutian Islands/ Gulf of Alaska areas. Although these areas frequently spawn Pacific-wide tsunamis, the remoteness of that part of the Pacific 

frcm the Chile-Peru coast ensures adequate Karning time for low-lying cornrmni t ies. 

Data in table IV show that some ports in Peru and Chile are mre vulnerable to 

Pacific-wide tsunamis than are others. Arica, located in the "big bend" area of 

the Peru-Chile coast, has reported the largest nunber of tsunamis, but 

Valparaiso and Antofagasta also have reported several. Table V describes the 

damage caused by four of the seven events listed in table IV. 

Most tsunamis that have been generated in this area by nonlocal earthquakes originate in the north and northwest regions of the circmPacific seismic belt. 

Tsunamis in the Northwest Pacific are mre likely to cause damage in the coastal 

section adjacent to the Peru-Chile trench (from 3" S. to 41° S. latitude). 

Tsunamis of both local and nonlocal orgin may strike the coastal area south of 

the Peru-Chile trench. Only local tsunamis, hwever, historically have caused 

destruction in this area. 

95 
TABLE 1. SUMMARY OF EARTHQUAKE AND TSUNAMI-RELATED DATA FOR PERU-CHILE COAST 

SOURCE REGION PERU N. CHILE Nc. CHILE C. CHILE SC. CHILE S. CHILE 

TOTAL COASTLINE REPRESENTED (O) 14 9 6 4 4 14 

TOTAL NO. OF TSUNAMIGENIC EARTHQUAKES 34 44 27 19 11 11 

MAG. >7.0 EARTHQUAKES THAT GENERATED 64 52 90 43 42 33 

TS~MIS (I) 

NO. OF EARTI-QUAKES GENERATING DESTRUCTIVE 0.6 0.6 1.2 1.2 1 .o 0.2 

TSUNAMIS PER DEGREE OF COASTLINE 

MAGNITUDE RANGE OF TSUNAMIGENIC 6.6-8.6 6.0-8.5 6.0-8.7 6.0-8.6 7.0-8.8 7.0-8.5 

EARTHQUAKES 

NUMBER OF TSUNAMIS GENERATED WITH RUNUP 5 4 4 1 3 1 

HEIGHT OFL5.0 M. 

MAXIMUM REPORTED RUNUP HEIGHT (M) 24 24 16 24 25 4 

NO. OF TSUNAMIS THAT WERE DAMAGING 0 2 2 2 1 1 

OUTSIDE SOUTH AMERICA 

TABLE II. PACIFIC-WIDE TSUNAMIS GENERATED BY PERU-CHILE EARTHQUAKES 

ITABUUTION OF RUNUP AND DAMAGE1 

SOUTH NEW 

HAWAII PACIFIC ZEALAND AUSTRALIA PHILIPPINES TAIWAN JAPAN ALASKA CANADA USA 

EVENT DATE RUNUP RUNUP RUNUP RUNUP RUNUP RUNUP RUNUP RUNUP RUNUP RUNUP 

YEAR MO DA (MI (M) (M 1 (MI (M ) (M) (M) (M) (M 1 (M 1 

1868 08 13 4.5X 3.0X 5.4x 1.2 R 1.5X R 0.6 

1877 05 10 9.OX 1 .EX 6.0X R 3 .OX 0.5 

1906 08 17 3.5X X 0.4 0.2 

1922 11 10 2.1 1 .EX 0.2 0.2 0.1 X X 0.2 

1960 05 22 10.5X 4.9 0.9 1.7 12.2 1.1 6.3 1.3 R 2.6 

X = damage. 

R = tsunaml reported In area, but runup lnforratlon not available. 

94 
TABLE I I I. REMOTE-SOURCE TSUNAMI S AFFECT I NG PERU-CH I LE 

EP I CENTER 

EVENT DATE RUNUP SOURCE REGION CAUSE LAT. LONG. MAG. 

YEAR MO DA (M 1 

1888 03 13 4.0 BISMARCK SEA v 5.6s 148.OE 

1933 03 03 28.0 SANRIKU, JAPAN T 39.2N 143.OE 8.3 

1946 04 01 32.0 E. ALEUTIAN ISLANDS T 52.8N 163.5W 7.4 

1952 11 05 16.0 KAMCHATKA PENINSULA, USSR T 52.8N 159.6E 8.3 

1957 03 09 16.0 CENTRAL ALEUTIAN ISLANDS T 51.3N 175.8W 8.3 

1964 03 27 32.0 GULF OF ALASKA-ALASKA PEN. T 61.ON 147.7W 8.4 

1975 11 29 8.0 HAWAI I T 19.4N 155.1W 7.2 

0 0 

V = volcanlc 

T - tsunami 

TABLE IV. RUNUP (IN METERS) IN PERU-CHILI FRaM REMOTE-SOURCE TSUNAMIS 

CITY 1888 1933 1946 1952 1957 1964 1975 TOTAL 

TALARA, PERU 

CALLAO, PERU 

MATARAN I , PERU 

ARICA, CHILE 

IQUIQUE, CHILE 

ANTOFAGASTA, CHILE 

CALDERA, CHI LE 

HUASCO, CHILE 

COQU IMBO, CHI LE 

VALPARAI SO, CHI LE 

TALCAHUANO, CHILE 

CORRAL, CHILE 

0.5 0.8 

0.6 0.3 0.3 

0.6 1.3 

X 1.2 1.3 

0.9 1 .o 

2.8 I .3 

X 

0.8 X 2.0 

0.4 

1.8 I .4 

1 .o 

2.0 

1 .o 

2.1 

X 

1 .o 

X 

4 .OX 

2.2 

2.5 

1.7 

3 

4 

3 

0.4 5 

2 

0.3 4 

0.5 3 

1 

2 

4 

3 

1 

X = damage. 

TABLE V. SUMMARY OF DAMAGE IN PERU-CHILE FROM REMOTE-SOURCE TSUNAMIS 

EVENT DATE SOURCE REGION REPORTING LOCATION DAMAGE 

YEAR MO DA 

1888 03 13 BISMARCK SEA ARICA, CHILE 

1946 04 01 E. ALEUTIAN IS. IQUIQUE, CHILE 

1952 11 05 KAMCHATKA PEN., VALPARAISO, CHILE 

JUAN FERNANDEZ IS., CHILE 

USSR COQUIMBO, CHILE 

CALLAO, PERU 

1964 03 28 SOUTHERN ALASKA IQUIQUE, OQUIMBO, HUASCO, 

6 SAN VINCENTE, CHILE 

SH IPS SMASHED. 

BOATS DAMAGED. 

SOME DAMAGE. 

HOUSES INUNDATED. 

PIER, MARKET, RAIL 

L I NE I NUNDATED. 

SOME DAMAGE. 

SLIGHT DAMAGE, 

MAINLY TO 

SHlPPl ffi. 

95 
SOLID EARTH (SEI DATA REPORT SERIES 

Listed below are data reports published in the Solid Earth (SE) series of World Data Center A for Solid Earth 

Geophysics, NOAWNGDC, Boulder, Coio. 80303, USA. Additional information on the services of the National 

Geophysical Data Center Is available in the following publications: Earthquake Data Services and Pubiicatlons 

(KGRD-15); Marine Geology and Geophysics Data Services and Pub1 lcations (KGRD-14); and Terrestrial Geophysics Data 

Services and Publications (KGRD-19). 

SE-1 

SE-2 

SE-3 

SE-4 

SE-5 

SE-6 

SE-7 

SE-8 

SE-9 

SE-10 

SE-11 

SE-12 

SE-13 

SE-14 

SE-15 

SE- 16 

SE-17 

SE-18 

SE- 19 

SE-20 

SE-2 1 

SE-22 

SE-23 

SE-24 

SE-25 

SE-26 

SE-27 

SE-28 

SE-29 

SE-30 

SE-3 1 

SE-32 

Catalog of Tsunamis in Alaska 

Geodynamics International-9 

Summary of Earthquake Focal Mechanisms for the Western Pacific-Indonesian Region, 1929-1973 

Catalog of Tsunamis In Hawaii 

Geodynam i cs I nternat lonai-10 

Catalog of Seismograms and Strong-Mot ion Records 

Directory of Seismograph Stations 

Survey of Practice in Determining Magnitudes of Near Earthquakes, Part 2: Europe, Asia, Africa, 

Survey of Practice in Determining Magnitudes of Near Earthquakes, Part 1: North, Central, and 

Australia, the Pacific 

South Amer Ica 

Geodynamics International-11 

The Information Explosion and Its Consequences for Data Acqu 

Geodyanamics international-12 

Bibliography of Statistical Aspects of Seismicity 

An Additional Aspect of the Limits to Growth 

sition, Documentation, and Processing: 

Directory of U.S. Data Repositories Supporting the International Geodynamics Project 

Geodynamics International-13 

Geodynamics international-14 

Annual Mean Values of Geomagnetic Components for Selected Observatories, 1940-73 

Homogeneous Magnitude System of the Eurasian Continent: P-Waves 

Geodynamics International-15 

Manual of 5eismological Practice 

Geomagnetic Observatories, 1978 

Historical Seismogram Fi lming ProJect: First Progress Report 

Geodynamics international-16 

Historical Seismogram Fi lming ProJect: Second Progress Report 

Directory of World Seismograph Stations, Volume 1. The Americas - Part 1. United States, 

Geodynamics international-17 - Final Report 

Catalog of Significant Earthquakes, 2000 B.C. - 1979 

Historical Seismogram Fi lmlng ProJect: Third Progress Report 

Strong-Motion Data from Japanese Earthquakes 

Progress Report on Selected Geophysical Activities of the United States, 1977-1981 

New Catalog of Strong Earthquakes in the U.S.S.R. from Ancient Times Through 1977 

Directory of World Digital Seismlc Stations 

Canada, Bermuda 

96 
SOLID EARTH (SE) DATA REPORT SERIES (Continued) 

SE-33 

SE-34 

SE-35 

SE-36 

SE-37 

SE-38 

SE-39 

SE-40 

Historical Selsmogram Filming Project: Fourth Progress Report 

Homogeneous Magnitude System of the Eurasian Continent: 

Documentation of Earthquake Algorithms 

Catalog of Submarine Volcanoes and Hydrological Phenomena Associated with Volcanic 

Inventory of Filmed Historical Seismograms and Station Bulletins at World Data Center A 

Catalog of Strong-Motlon Accelerograph Records 

Tsunamis in Peru-Chi le 

Earthquake Catalog for the Middle East Countries 1900-1983 

S and L Waves 

Events lS00 B.C. to December 31, 1899 

t U. S. G O V E R N M E N T P R I N T I N G OFFICE: 1985-576-042120003 

97 
WORLD DATA CENTER A 

National Academy of Sciences 

2101 Constitution Avenue, NW 

Washington, D.C. 20418 USA 

World Data Center A consists of the Coordination Office 

and the following eight Subcenters: 

GLACIOLOGY (Snow and Ice) 

World Data Center A: Glaciology 

(Snow and Ice) 

Cooperative Inst. for Research in 

Environmental Sciences 

University of Colorado 

Boulder, Colorado 80309 USA 

Telephone: (303) 492-5171 

MARINE GEOLOGY AND GEOPHYSICS 

(Gravity, Magnetics, Bathymetry, 

Seismic Profiles, Marine Sediment, 

and Rock Analyses): 

World Data Center A for Marine 

NOAA, ElGC3 

325 Broadway 

Boulder, Colorado 80303 USA 

Telephone: (303) 497-6487 

Geology and Geophysics 

METEOROLOGY (and Nuclear Radiation) 

World Data Center A: Meteorology 

National Climatic Data Center 

NOAA, ElCC 

Federa I B u i I d i n g 

Asheville, North Carolina 28801 USA 

Telephone: (704) 259-0682 

OCEANOGRAPHY 

World Data Center A: Oceanography 

National Oceanographic Data Center 

NOAA, ElOC 

2001 Wisconsin Avenue, NW 

Page Bldg. 1, Rm. 414 

Washington, D.C. 20235 USA 

Telephone: (202) 634-7510 

COORDINATION OFFICE 

World Data Center A 

National Academy of Sciences 

2101 Constitution Avenue, NW 

Washington, D.C. 20418 USA 

[Telephone: (202) 334-3359] 

ROCKETS AND SATELLITES 

World Data Center A: Rockets and 

Goddard Space Flight Center 

Code 601 

Greenbelt, Maryland 20771 USA 

Telephone: (301) 344-6695 

Satellites 

ROTATION OF THE EARTH 

World Data Center A: Rotation 

US. Naval Observatory 

Washington, D.C. 20390 USA 

Telephone: (202) 653-1529 

SOLAR-TERRESTRIAL PHYSICS (Solar and 

Interplanetary Phenomena, Ionospheric 

Phenomena, Flare-Associated Events, 

Geomagnetic Varlations, Aurora, 

Cosmic Rays, Airglow): 

World Data Center A 

NOAA, EIGC2 

325 Broadway 

Boulder, Colorado 80303 USA 

Telephone: (303) 497-6323 

SOLID.EARTH GEOPHYSICS (Seismology, 

Tsunamis, Gravimetry, Earth Tides, 

Recent Movements of the Earth's 

Crust, Magnetic Measurements, 

Paleomagnetism and Archeomagnetism, 

Volcanology, Geothermics): 

World Data Center A 

NOAA, ElGCl 

325 Broadway 

Boulder, Colorado 80303 USA 

Telephone: (303) 497-6521 

of the Earth 

for Solar-Terrestrial Physics 

for Solid-Earth Geophysics 

World Data Centers conduct international exchange of geophysical observations in accordance with the principles set forth 

by the International Council of Scientific Unions. WDC.A is established in the United States under the auspices of the National 

Academy of Sciences. Communications regarding data interchange matters in general and World Data Center A as a whole 

should be addressed to World Data Center A, Coordination Office (see address above). Inquiries and communications concerning data in specific disciplines should be addressed to the appropriate subcenter listed above.