1931 Valentine earthquake facts for kids
| UTC time | 1931-08-16 11:40:25 |
|---|---|
| ISC event | 906944 |
| USGS-ANSS | ComCat |
| Local date | August 16, 1931 |
| Local time | 05:40:25 |
| Magnitude | Mw 6.5 |
| Depth | 10 km (6.2 mi) |
| Epicenter | 30°40′N 104°22′W / 30.66°N 104.37°W |
| Type | Oblique-slip |
| Max. intensity | VIII (Severe) |
The 1931 Valentine earthquake was a powerful earthquake that hit the town of Valentine, in Texas, on August 16, 1931. It had a strength of 6.5 on the moment magnitude scale. The shaking was felt very strongly, reaching an intensity of VIII (which means Severe) on the Mercalli intensity scale. Even though it was a powerful quake, thankfully, no one was killed.
However, the earthquake did cause a lot of damage to homes and other buildings in Valentine. It is still known as the strongest earthquake ever recorded in the history of Texas.
What Happened During the Earthquake?
An earthquake happens when two large pieces of the Earth's crust, called tectonic plates, suddenly slip past each other. This sudden movement releases a lot of energy, which travels through the ground as seismic waves. These waves make the ground shake.
The 1931 Valentine earthquake was an oblique-slip type of earthquake. This means the ground moved both sideways and up-and-down along the fault line. The earthquake happened about 10 kilometers (6 miles) deep inside the Earth.
Damage Caused by the Shaking
The earthquake caused a lot of damage in Valentine. Almost every building in town that was not made of wood frames was damaged. Many chimneys fell over or cracked badly.
- The local school building was so badly damaged that it could not be fixed.
- Its yard also had small cracks in the ground.
- Buildings made from adobe (a type of sun-dried brick) had their walls fall down.
- Even wooden buildings showed cracks in their ceilings.
- Walls made of concrete, brick, and similar materials had large cracks.
- Some tombstones in the town's cemetery were even reported to have turned around.
Damage was also reported in nearby areas. This included the counties of Brewster, Culberson, Jeff Davis, and Presidio.
Landslides and Water Problems
The strong shaking also caused several landslides. These happened in many places, including:
- The Van Horn Mountains
- The Chisos Mountains
- Southwest of Lobo
- Near the Big Bend area
- To the northwest near Pilares and Porvenir
In the state of New Mexico, landslides also happened in the Guadalupe Mountains. In Picacho, people reported rock and mudslides. The earthquake also affected water in some artificial ponds and lakes, making the water muddy.
