The most devastating earthquake in history struck Valdivia, Chile on May 22, 1960 at 3:11 p.m. With a magnitude of 9.5 on the Richter scale, it destroyed over 40 percent of the buildings and houses in the city and resulted in the deaths of several thousand people. The epicenter of this deadly earthquake was approximately 570 km south of Santiago, with a crack in the ground that was about 1000 kilometers long.
The day before this massive earthquake, three strong shocks rattled the islands, including Concepcion – the first with a magnitude of 8.1 on the Richter scale. This was followed by earthquakes measuring 6.8 and 7.9 on the Richter scale, culminating in a catastrophic earthquake that hit Valdivia just 15 minutes before it struck its final blow. Chile is located in an area of high volcanic and seismic activity, part of the Pacific Ring of Fire.
Three days after this devastating event, an eruption occurred at the Cordón-Caulle volcano which became active following a dormant period of 40 years. Seismologists believed that this eruption was linked to the Valdivia earthquake as both were caused by tectonic plates colliding along subduction zones.
In recent years, another significant earthquake with a magnitude of 8.8 struck Chile in 2010 causing widespread destruction and loss of lives throughout South America. In fact, it was so powerful that it reportedly moved the earth’s axis resulting in a slight shortening
