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

A groundbreaking seismological study reveals that four major historical earthquakes in central Chile—1647, 1657, 1730, and 1751—were significantly larger in scale and impact than previously documented. The research, the first to directly analyze contemporary documents from the Archivo General de Indias in Seville, provides unprecedented detail on these events, including their destructive power, regional damage patterns, and associated tsunamis. Notably, the 1730 earthquake, the largest of the four, caused widespread devastation spanning over 1000 km, while the 1751 Concepcion earthquake was comparable in magnitude to the 2010 Maule earthquake, leading to the relocation of the city. This study underscores the importance of historical records in modern seismic risk assessment and understanding long-term tectonic activity.

Udias, A., Madariaga, R., Buforn, E., Munoz, D., & Ros, M. (2012). The Large Chilean Historical Earthquakes of 1647, 1657, 1730, and 1751 from Contemporary Documents. Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America, 102(4), 1639–1653. https://doi.org/10.1785/0120110289