Abstract
CHILE is one of the great seismically active regions in the world and part of the circum-Pacific ring of instability. During the night of January 24, an earthquake which lasted according to human experience for three minutes, shook an area greater than 40,000 square miles embracing Talca and Concepcion, and caused the deaths of approximately 15,000 people. It was the most severe for twelve years in Chile and the most destructive of human life since Quetta (India) in 1935. The three towns of Chilian, Pailalleque and Parral are reported completely destroyed; Concepcion, Talcahuano, San Rosendo and Los Angeles are severely damaged, and Talca, Angol, Lota and Curico damaged. At Talca the prison collapsed, fires broke out at the port of Talcahuano, the cathedral tower at Vaparaiso swayed dangerously, and half Concepcion is reported in ruins. From the available macroseismic evidence the epicentre appears to be near lat. 37° S. and somewhat to the east of long. 73° W. The shock appears to have had a normal focal depth and to have caused some surface faulting, and the railway line is reported damaged in several places, including one point about 12 miles south of Talca. Two trains are reported derailed.
Article PDF
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
The Chilean Earthquake. Nature 143, 197–198 (1939). https://doi.org/10.1038/143197e0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/143197e0