October 29, 1746 Earthquake: Lima, Callao, Peru

On October 28, 1746 (erroneously 1724), at 22:30 [Local Time] in Lima, a rumbling sound was accompanied by strong shocks. In 3-4 minutes the capital was completely destroyed. Of 3000 homes only about 25 remained standing and even they were seriously damaged. All offices and all 74 churches were destroyed or damaged. Despite the late hour and almost complete destruction of the buildings, of the 60 thousand population of the city only 1141 persons perished. [Evidently, the vibrations increased in strength, which made it possible for the inhabitants to flee from their homes.]

The disrupted area embraced 44,000 square kilometers. In the north the quake was felt in Guayaquil, that is about 100 km from Lima, and at a Jesuit mission situated at the junction of the Maranon and Hualga Rivers, about 750 km from Lima.

Buildings collapsed south of Lima all the way to Canete, and north to Chancay. About 120 km north of Lima, a new bridge spanning the River Huaura collapsed as well. The roads leading inland were blocked by cave-ins, and landslides and cave-ins occurred near Lucannas. Near Patas, in the Convenciones-de-Cacsa-Marquita Mountains, new mineral springs appeared. The vallyes of Supe, Baranca and Pativilqua were greatly damaged, either by the earthquake or by a tsunami. The shocks were also felt in Cusco, Tacna, and the bordering settlements. According to Sieberg's estimate, the intensity of the earthquake in Chancay, Janja and Pativilqua was 8 degrees and in Tacna, 6 degrees.

Repeated tremors continued in Lima throughout the night, and over a period of 24 hours, no fewer than 200 of them were counted. Up to 24 February, almost 500 subterranean tremors were recorded; however, none of them was so severe as to cause casualties or new serious damage.

(above from reference #415)

According to the official report, 1,141 people perished in Lima, out of a total 60,000 inhabitants; other chroniclers raised these figures in later days, for various reasons, and because of the epidemics which broke out. (reference #1111)

October 28, 1746. Total destruction of Lima, only 25 houses stand among the total 3,000 houses that this city had during that time, 1141 persons were killed. In Callao the tsunami killed about 6,000 persons and only 200 survived this disaster besides, 19 ships including warships were destroyed. More than 1,700 aftershocks occurred during the next 112 days. (reference #1102)

October 28, 1746, Lima and Calao demolished; 18,000 persons buried in the ruins. (reference #1073)

Different Reports of Epicenters

DateLatitudeLongitudeMagnitudeIntensity DepthReference #Oct 29, 1746 03:3011.996S77.198W1030#1208Oct 29, 1746 03:3011.996S77.198W9.21130#1221Oct 29, 1746 03:3012.0S77.0W8.0#415