1420 Caldera earthquake facts for kids
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| Local date | September 1, 1420 |
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| Magnitude | 8.8–9.4 Mw |
| Epicenter | 27°00′S 71°00′W / 27.0°S 71.0°W |
| Areas affected | Chile |
| Tsunami | yes |
The 1420 Caldera earthquake was a very powerful earthquake. It happened on September 1, 1420. This huge quake shook the southern part of the Atacama Desert in Chile. It was so strong that it caused giant ocean waves, called tsunamis. These tsunamis traveled all the way across the Pacific Ocean. They reached places like Hawaii and even towns in Japan. Scientists believe this earthquake was between 8.8 and 9.4 on the moment magnitude scale.
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What is an Earthquake?
An earthquake is the shaking of the Earth's surface. This shaking is caused by a sudden release of energy. This energy comes from inside the Earth's crust. Our planet's outer layer is made of large pieces called tectonic plates. These plates are always slowly moving. Sometimes, they get stuck at their edges. When the stress builds up too much, the plates suddenly slip. This sudden movement causes the ground to shake.
Megathrust Earthquakes
The 1420 Caldera earthquake was a type called a megathrust earthquake. These are the most powerful earthquakes on Earth. They happen where one tectonic plate slides under another. This process is called subduction. The area where this happens is known as a subduction zone. When the plates get stuck, a lot of energy builds up. When they finally break free, it causes a massive earthquake.
How Earthquakes Cause Tsunamis
A tsunami is a series of very large ocean waves. They are usually caused by big earthquakes under the ocean. When a powerful earthquake happens on the seafloor, it can suddenly push up or pull down a large area of the ocean floor. This movement displaces a huge amount of water. This displaced water then forms a series of powerful waves that can travel across entire oceans.
The 1420 Tsunami's Journey
The tsunami from the 1420 Caldera earthquake was very far-reaching. In Chile, the earthquake caused landslides along the coast. This shows how strong the shaking was. The tsunami then traveled thousands of miles across the Pacific.
When the tsunami reached Japan, people were very confused. Historical records from Japanese harbors like Kawarago and Aiga describe the event. Residents saw the ocean water suddenly pull back from the shore. This happened on the morning of September 1. They saw no earthquake shaking in Japan itself. This is because the earthquake happened so far away in Chile. The tsunami traveled silently across the ocean until it reached their shores.
See also
In Spanish: Terremoto de Caldera de 1420 para niños
