July 23, 1898 Earthquake: Concepcion, Chile

July 23, 1898, 22:30 [local time], 37 S, 74 W, magnitude 6.5 MS. An earthquake with source in the Concepcion region was preceded by a foreshock and a subterranean rumble.

At Concepcion, the residents took to the streets in panic. About 50 homes suffered some damage. The destruction was not so serious, as extensive: walls cracked and warped, partitions collapsed and cornices fell. There were injuries (VIII degrees, on M. scale).

At Talcahuano there was similar but less serious destruction; one home sank so far to one side that it had to be pulled down (VIII). At Tome, all buildings suffered some damage, although none collapsed (VIII).

At Florida, the walls cracked and warped in some homes and the roofs fell in (VIII). Several buildings collapsed at Quillon (VIII). Three homes were completely destroyed at Rere and many others became uninhabitable. There were six casualties (VIII). All the buildings cracked at Yumbel (VIII). All buildings suffered some damage at Santa

Juana (VIII).

The following points fell within the VI degree isoseismal, according to Montessus de Ballore: Cauquenes, where cracks appeared in old walls; Chillan, where the school walls cracked and warped; Bulnes, where there was terrible panic and dishes were broken; Yungay, where stucco fell off; Mulchen, where the tremors were preceded by a rumble, lasted 1 minute, and caused some walls to crack; Angol, where strong tremors lasted 1/2 minute and damaged two or three partitions, broke dishes and caused panic.

At Coronel, Arauco, Linares and Talca, strong tremors caused panic. At Lebu there were strong and prolonged tremors. The earthquake was felt in Valparaiso and Santiago.

A lot of aftershocks were felt.

The report of the Mayor of Concepcion mentions no special phenomena in the sea in the surrounding ports (Montessus de Ballore, 1912).

In contrast, Milne (1900 a) reports that in the region of

Concepcion, Talcahuano, the sea retreated and the inhabitants were terrified, fearing a tidal wave.

(above from reference #415)

July 23, 1898, Chile, Concepcion, Talcahuano, intensity I which corresponds to an earthquake of intensity sufficient to crack walls, break chimneys, to shatter old buildings or to produce cracks in the ground. (reference #1055)

July 23, 1898, 02:17 UTC, 36.83 S, 73.03 W, intensity VIII, casualties. (reference #1206)