1985 Santiago earthquake facts for kids
Map showing location of the epicenter
|
|
 |
|
| UTC time | 1985-03-03 22:47 |
|---|---|
| ISC event | 529084 |
| USGS-ANSS | ComCat |
| Local date | March 3, 1985 |
| Local time | 19:47 UTC-3 |
| Magnitude | 8.0 Mw |
| Depth | 33 kilometres (21 mi) |
| Epicenter | Algarrobo |
| Areas affected | Chile, San Antonio (Valparaíso Region), Alhué, Melipilla, Santiago (Santiago Metropolitan Region), Rengo (O'Higgins Region) |
| Max. intensity | MM IX |
| Landslides | Yes |
| Casualties | 177 |
The 1985 Santiago earthquake was a very strong earthquake that happened on Sunday, March 3, 1985. It struck at 7:47 PM local time in Chile. The earthquake's starting point, called its epicenter, was off the coast of the Valparaíso Region in Chile, close to a town called Algarrobo. This powerful quake measured 8.0 on the Richter scale, which is a way to measure how strong an earthquake is.
Contents
What Happened During the 1985 Chile Earthquake?
This earthquake was one of the biggest to hit Chile in the 20th century. It caused a lot of shaking and damage across several regions. The ground moved so much that it even caused landslides in some areas.
Where Did the Earthquake Strike?
The main shock was felt strongly in many parts of central Chile. The areas most affected included:
- Valparaíso Region, especially the city of San Antonio
- Santiago Metropolitan Region, including the capital city of Santiago
- O'Higgins Region, particularly the city of Rengo
The earthquake's depth was about 33 kilometers (20 miles) below the Earth's surface. This depth can affect how much damage an earthquake causes.
How Strong Was It?
The earthquake had a magnitude of 8.0 on the Moment magnitude scale. This scale is now used more often than the Richter scale for very large earthquakes. It also reached an intensity of IX on the Modified Mercalli intensity scale. This means the shaking was very violent, causing significant damage to buildings and structures.
Impact and Effects
Sadly, this earthquake led to 177 people losing their lives. Many more were injured, and a lot of homes and buildings were damaged or destroyed. The picture of a destroyed street in Algarrobo shows just how powerful the shaking was. It was a very difficult time for the people living in these areas.
Images for kids
-
Houses affected in San Antonio, Valparaiso, by the 1985 Algarrobo earthquake.
See also
In Spanish: Terremoto de Algarrobo de 1985 para niños
