The Large Chilean Historical Earthquakes of 1647, 1657, 1730, and 1751 from Contemporary Documents

• DOI: 10.1785/0120110289
• Publication Date: 2012-08-08T13:08:23Z
• Authors: A. Udias; R. Madariaga; E. Buforn; D. Munoz; M. Ros
• Keywords: 01 natural sciences; 0105 earth and related environmental sciences

The four largest historical earthquakes of central Chile in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, 1647, 1657, 1730, 1751, are studied using contemporary documents available Archivo General de Indias Seville (Spain). These docu- ments provide detailed information about these earthquakes. This is first time have been used directly for a seismological study. 1647 earthquake practically destroyed city Santiago. Damage to cathedral main buildings given detail. 1657 near Concepcion produced large tsunami that further contributed damage. 1730 earthquake, events, caused damage region extended more than 1000 km from Copiapo north south. event heavy Santiago was followed by affected between Valparaiso Concepcion. 1751 next this period. It very Valdivia, including made it necessary relocate city. We suggest similar size extent Maule 27 February 2010. Online Material: Documents Chilean earth- quakes 1751.