2001 southern Peru earthquake facts for kids
| UTC time | 2001-06-23 20:33:14 |
|---|---|
| ISC event | 1893467 |
| USGS-ANSS | ComCat |
| Local date | June 23, 2001 |
| Local time | 15:33 |
| Magnitude | 8.4 Mw |
| Depth | 32 km (20 mi) |
| Epicenter | 16°22′S 73°29′W / 16.36°S 73.48°W |
| Type | Megathrust |
| Areas affected | Peru |
| Max. intensity | IX (Violent) |
| Tsunami | 7 m (23 ft) |
| Casualties | 74–145 dead 2,687–2,713 injured |
The 2001 southern Peru earthquake happened on Saturday, June 23, 2001. It was a very strong earthquake with a magnitude of 8.4. This powerful shake affected many parts of southern Peru, a country in South America. It is remembered as one of the most serious earthquakes ever in Peru.
Contents
What Was the 2001 Peru Earthquake?
The earthquake struck at about 3:30 PM local time. Its center was off the coast of southern Peru. This type of earthquake is called a megathrust earthquake. This means it happened where two of Earth's giant plates, called tectonic plates, crashed into each other.
How Strong Was It?
The earthquake had a magnitude of 8.4 on the Moment magnitude scale. This scale measures the total energy released by an earthquake. An 8.4 magnitude is considered very powerful. The shaking was so strong that it was rated as "Violent" (IX) on the Mercalli intensity scale. This scale describes how much people feel the earthquake and how much damage it causes.
What is a Megathrust Earthquake?
A megathrust earthquake happens at a subduction zone. This is where one tectonic plate slides underneath another. In this case, the Nazca Plate was sliding under the South American Plate. When these plates get stuck and then suddenly slip, they release a huge amount of energy, causing very strong earthquakes.
What Happened After the Earthquake?
Because the earthquake happened under the ocean, it caused a large tsunami. A tsunami is a series of giant ocean waves. The waves from this earthquake reached heights of up to 7 meters (about 23 feet) in some areas. These huge waves crashed onto the coast, causing more damage.
How Did It Affect People?
The earthquake and the tsunami caused a lot of destruction. Many buildings were damaged or destroyed. Sadly, between 74 and 145 people lost their lives. Also, between 2,687 and 2,713 people were injured. This event was a very difficult time for the people living in southern Peru.
