March 30, 1828 Earthquake: Lima, Callao, Peru

March 20 or 30 (07:30), 1828, 12 S 76.5 W, magnitude 7.25. Lima experienced the strongest earthquake since 1746. In this quake, the walls of all buildings cracked within a few seconds and many roofs collapsed. Walls of a thickness of 2 m developed cracks from top to bottom. About 30 people died. The strongest shocks lasted for half a minute (70 seconds, according to other sources).

In Callao, the earthquake occurred somewhat later than in Lima, since the cloud of dust could be seen rising over the ruins of Lima before the shocks were felt. Almost all houses in the town were damaged. Chorillos and Chancay were also seriously damaged.

Apparently, the earthquake was felt throughout Peru. Several villages were destroyed along the coast north of Lima. In the area of Huarochiri, an entire village slid down the side of a hill in a landslide. Rockfalls had occurred in many sections of the road from San Mateo to Lima. In Surras, subterranean water forced its way to the surface. Trujillo and Huanuco experienced strong shocks but there was no damage. In Arequipa, the shocks were weak, and in Arica, the earthquake was not felt at all. Weak secondary tremors were felt in Lima for a week after the earthquake.

A strong sea quake was felt on vessels lying at anchor in Callao. These disturbances were accompanied by rumbling sounds resembling distant thunder. The water began to churn, bubbles of hydrogen sulphide rose from the bottom and many dead fish surfaced. The surface of the ocean, which previous to the earthquake was like glass, became agitated and the water became muddy. The vessel "Volant" rocked 35 cm [degrees?] to either side from its position of equilibrium.

In Trujillo, the earthquake was followed by pouring rain. In Lambayeque and Chiclajo, the rainfall was even heavier and continued for four days without a break. These towns were reduced to a heap of ruins, particularly the first of them, where the river overflowed and razed the

whole town to the ground, with the exception of three streets. Farms were laid waste and crops damaged. Piura was destroyed in a similar manner. In the Sechura Desert - an area that never gets a drop of water - the heavy rain brought a stream into being (Mallet, 1853; Perrey, 1854 b;

Polo, 1899 a; Silgado, 1968). Sieberg (Sieberg, 1929, 1932) mistakenly assumed that the coastal cities to the north of Lima were destroyed by tsunami waves.

(above from reference #415)

March 30, 1828, 12:35 UTC, 12.13 S, 77.8 W08 W, depth 50 km, intensity VII, casualties. (reference #1208)

March 30, 1828, 12:35 UTC, 12.13 S, 77.8 W08 W, depth 50 km, magnitude 8.28, intensity VII, casualties. (reference #1221)

March 39, 1828, at 07;35, an earthquake caused great damage to buildings and dwellings in Lima, the losses being calculated a six million pesos. That day 30 were killed and many injured. The harbor of El Callao, Chorillos an Chancay, Huarochiri and the village of San Geronimo suffered. It was felt lightly at Arequipa. (reference #1111)