1877 Iquique earthquake

1877 Iquique earthquake
Iquique
Santiago
Local dateMay 9, 1877 (1877-05-09)
Local time21:16
Magnitude8.5 Ms
8.7–8.9 Mw
9.0 Mt
Epicenter19°36′S 70°12′W / 19.6°S 70.2°W / -19.6; -70.2
Areas affectedPeru, Tarapacá Region and Bolivia, Antofagasta Region (both now part of Chile)
Max. intensityMMI XI (Extreme)
TsunamiYes
Casualties2,385

The 1877 Iquique earthquake occurred at 21:16 local time on 9 May (0:59 on 10 May UTC). It had a magnitude of 8.5 on the surface-wave magnitude scale. Other estimates of its magnitude have been as high as 8.9 Mw and 9.0 Mt (based on the size of the tsunami). It had a maximum intensity of XI (Extreme) on the Mercalli intensity scale and triggered a devastating tsunami. A total of 2,385 people died, mainly in Fiji from the tsunami.