Which earthquake released the most energy ever recorded by seismographs?
Quick Answer
The 1960 Valdivia earthquake in Chile, magnitude 9.5, is the largest instrumentally recorded earthquake ever measured.
The Full Story
The Great Chilean Earthquake struck on 22 May 1960 near Valdivia and remains the strongest earthquake ever recorded by modern instruments. Its magnitude was 9.5, and the rupture stretched for roughly 1,000 kilometers along the subduction zone. The quake generated a Pacific-wide tsunami and killed around 1,600 to 2,000 people, depending on the source. It also caused major ground deformation, landslides, and long-lasting changes to coastlines and river systems. The event is a benchmark in earthquake science because it was so large and so well documented.
Key Facts
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"The biggest earthquake ever recorded shook half the Pacific"