Significant earthquakes of 1955

April 19, 1955 Earthquake: Chile

April 19, 1955 · M7.1 · 1 death

A magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck Chile on April 19, 1955 at 20:24:05 UTC, 30 km below the surface. It killed 1 person, counting the tsunami it caused.

Map

Where it struck, with the other significant earthquakes within 200 km. Circles are sized and colored by magnitude; select one for its page.

The earthquake

Date
April 19, 1955
Time
20:24:05 UTC
Place
Chile
Magnitude
7.1 (Ms)
Focal depth
30 km (19 mi)
Intensity
6 on the Modified Mercalli scale
Epicenter
30.000° S, 72.000° W
Country
Chile

The toll

Deaths
1 with its tsunami and other effects
Damage
Limited (under about $1 million) with its tsunami and other effects
Houses destroyed
Few (about 1 to 50) with its tsunami and other effects

Where the literature gives no number, NCEI records a description on a scale of 1 to 4, printed here in its words. Damage is in millions of US dollars of the year of the event, not adjusted for inflation.

What the record says

NCEI’s account, from the sources it cites.

1955, April 19, there was a magnitude 7.0 earthquake [29.9 S, 71.6 W] in central Chile with aftershocks. It was felt as far as Buenos Aires. On the coast between 26o and 32o, its intensity was 5-6 degrees. A tsunami occurred. (reference #415)

Reference #45 lists April 19, 1955, 20:24:05 UTC, 30 S, 72 W, depth 30 km, magnitude 7.0, one killed, and extensive damage from water waves at La Serena and Tongoy.

30 S, 72 W, depth 33 km, magnitude 7.1. (reference #552)

30 S, 72 W, depth 30 km, magnitude 7.0. Reference #79)

30 S, 72 W, depth 33 km, magnitude 7.1. (eference #164)

1955, April 19 20:24:06 UTC. 29.9 S, 71.6 W, 6.9 Ms ABE1, 7 mB ABE1, 7.1 Ms ROTHE. (reference #9910)

Other significant earthquakes nearby

Within 200 km, the deadliest first.

More

Significant earthquakes of 1955The 1900sEvery quake the USGS located in 1955Recent earthquakes near hereThis day in weather history

Sources

Significant earthquakes from NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information, Global Historical Hazard Database, cited as NCEI/WDS, doi:10.7289/V5PN93H7. Public domain. Read 2026-09-24. NCEI earthquake 4073.