November 5, 1926 Earthquake: Managua,granada,masaya,chinandega, Nicaragua

Earthquake on November 5, 1926, was destructive in Managua. Half the houses were damaged, also damage at Granada, Masaya, Chinandega, San Juan del S. Two shocks were felt on ships. (reference #1199)

This was a relatively large-magnitude, intermediate-depth earthquake with a focus in Nicaragua. It is said that the worst damage was done at Leon: allegedly, 80 per cent of the houses sustained damage and many were totally destroyed. In Managua about 50 per cent of the houses were damaged, the shock causing material losses of £0.8 million. Chinandega, Granada and Rivas also suffered some damage. At San Juan del Sur several people were killed and severe property damage occurred along the coast. Later press reports add that the overall damage was, in fact, not so serious and that the shock was perceptible in Costa Rica and EI Salvador, from where details are lacking. The shock was very violent on board two ships sailing off the coast of Costa Rica, 330 km from the instrumental epicentre. The damage distribution and large area over which this earthquake was felt suggest an intermediate depth. We adopt, without recalculation, the Gutenberg & Richter solution, which gives a focal depth of 135 km. (reference #8015)