2015 Coquimbo earthquake facts for kids
USGS ShakeMap of the earthquake
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| UTC time | ?? |
|---|---|
| Magnitude | 8.3 Mw |
| Depth | 25.0 km (15.5 mi) |
| Epicenter | 31°34′12″S 71°39′14″W / 31.570°S 71.654°W |
| Areas affected | Chile Argentina Brazil |
| Max. intensity | VIII (Severe) |
| Tsunami | Yes |
| Aftershocks | 6 of 6.0 Mw or higher |
| Casualties | 12 deaths, 34+ injuries |
On September 16, 2015, a very strong earthquake hit off the coast of Illapel, Chile. It had a magnitude of 8.3 on the Moment magnitude scale. This powerful quake caused a tsunami, which flooded parts of Coquimbo and Concón. Sadly, 12 people died, and over 34 were injured. Several smaller quakes, called aftershocks, followed the main one.
Contents
The 2015 Illapel Earthquake
What Happened?
The earthquake happened about 46 kilometers (29 miles) from Illapel, Chile. It struck at 7:54 PM local time. The ground shook very strongly, reaching an intensity of VIII (Severe) on the Mercalli scale. This means it caused significant damage to buildings and structures.
The earthquake happened deep underground, about 25 kilometers (15.5 miles) below the surface. It was caused by the Nazca plate moving under the South American plate. This movement is called subduction, and it often causes strong earthquakes in Chile.
Tsunami Waves
Because the earthquake happened under the ocean, it created a large tsunami. Tsunami waves are huge ocean waves caused by sudden movements of the seafloor. These waves traveled across the Pacific Ocean.
The cities of Coquimbo and Concón in Chile were hit by the tsunami. They reported flooding, which caused damage to buildings and roads. Warnings for tsunami waves were also sent to many other countries. These included Ecuador, Peru, New Zealand, Fiji, Japan, the Solomon Islands, French Polynesia, and the U.S. states of Hawaii and California.
Aftershocks and Impact
After the main earthquake, there were six strong aftershocks. These are smaller earthquakes that happen after a big one in the same area. These aftershocks had magnitudes of 6.0 or higher.
The earthquake was felt far away from Chile. People in Argentina and Brazil also felt the ground shaking. The event caused a lot of concern across the region and in countries around the Pacific Ocean.
Images for kids
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The process of subduction of the Nazca plate under the South American plate.
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Coquimbo municipal library, after the tsunami
See also
In Spanish: Terremoto de Coquimbo de 2015 para niños
