1837 Valdivia earthquake and trans-Pacific tsunami (1837)

The 1837 Valdivia earthquake struck south-central Chile on November 7, generating a tsunami that struck Hawaii, what is now French Polynesia, and Japan. The rupture zone extended roughly from Valdivia to the south. Decades later, Francisco Vidal Gormaz was told of islands that had been submerged and some that had emerged as a consequence of the earthquake. The event is among the historical predecessors to the great 1960 earthquake.

Episodes

Background and detail

Background. Valdivia is a city and commune in southern Chile, located at the confluence of the Calle-Calle, Valdivia, and Cau-Cau Rivers. It lies in a depression amidst the Chilean Coast Range. The city was founded in 1552 and has historically resisted various natural disasters, including earthquakes.

Geological Impact. The 1837 earthquake's rupture zone was roughly from Valdivia to the south. Decades later, surveyor Francisco Vidal Gormaz recorded reports of islands that had been submerged or emerged as a consequence of the seismic event. This earthquake is among the historical predecessors to the great 1960 earthquake.

Tsunami Effects. The earthquake generated a tsunami that struck Hawaii, what is now French Polynesia, and Japan. At Hilo, Hawaii, the tsunami destroyed 66 houses and caused the deaths of 14 inhabitants. The event is often likened to the Great Chilean earthquake of 1960 in terms of damage.

People involved

Sources

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