May 10, 1877 Earthquake: Off North Coast, Chile

A destructive earthquake off the northern coast of Chile generated a catastrophic tsunami. The highest intensities were felt between Iquique and Antofagasta. Changes in the coastline (uplift as well as subsidence) were described at various points including Iquique and Pisagua. The earthquake was accompanied by many recurrent shocks. After the earthquake, the Isluga volcano may have ejected a cloud of smoke. Seismic surface waves were noted on the meridian telescope at the Pulkovo Astronomical Observatory, Russia.

Most of the loss of life and damage was caused by the tsunami. At Caleta Pabellon de Pica, the earthquake lasted 5 minutes with increasing force. Thirty-three workers died in a landslide. Casualties from the earthquake included 30 workers buried in a guano pit in Chanabaya and 4 miners killed at Tocopilla. Ref #79 lists $1.6 million damage.

At Caleta Pabellon de Pica, the earthquake lasted 5 minutes with increasing force. More than 10 fires were started overturned lamps. The fires were extinguished by the flood. Thirty-three workers died in a landslide.

At Chanabaya, of 400 homes, supposedly only two remained standing. Furniture and lamps were overturned; fires broke out. Colossal chunks of rock fell from the mountain sides; cracks up to 15 m deep in places opened up in the ground. According to reports, 30 workers were buried in a guano pit. Tocopilla was destroyed. Forty miners (according to later reports, only three or four) died when a shaft collapsed 8 km south of the city. At Cobija, almost all adobe houses were damaged or destroyed. (reference #415)

Epicenter:

May 10 00:59 UTC, 19.6S, 70.2W (Ref #236)

May 10 00:59 UTC; 21.5S, 71.0W (Ref #79)

May 10 01:28 UTC; 18.33S, 71.183W, magnitude 7.9 MS. (Ref #1218)

May 10 02:16 UTC; 19.6S, 70.23W, magnitude 8.3 MS, intensity XI. (Ref #1206)