October 20, 1687 Tsunami: S. Peru

1687 (erroneously 1690), Oct 20. Very strong earthquakes were felt in the Lima area. The vessel on which L. Vafer was sailing, about 600 km from shore at 12 deg 30 min S, experienced a severe seaquake, during which several sailors were thrown from their hammocks and the usual green color of the sea water appeared to turn white. But when it was scooped up, it became clear that it was mixed with sand.

According to the testimony of Captain Forster of the vessel Davis, the seaquake was felt even at 1800 km from shore.

The sea flooded the coast between Chancay and Arequipa. In Pisco the sea receded for a distance of 8 km (2 leagues), or, according to other information, for 2 km. The terrified inhabitants fled to the mountains, but some of the brave ones returned to see what was happening on the shore. While they were there, the sea level rose quickly and advanced "in a frenzy" without giving the observers a chance to escape, and thus they perished. The town was inundated and the sea advanced inland. Where the town once was, is now a bay in which ships lie at anchor. The town was rebuilt 1 km from the ocean shore. According to other reports, all houses in the town were washed away, but the more solidly constructed fortifications stood up. In Canete and Chincha, a similar inundation destroyed the warehouses in which 140 tons of mercury were stored and awaiting shipment to Acapulco. Chorrilos and Chancay were also inundated.

In Callao, the sea receded 2 km from shore, or, according to other data, far enough that the water was hardly visible. After some time the sea level rose, rushing in like a mountain of water, submerging the port and city of Callao and tossing vessels 4 km inland. This flood claimed both people and livestock along a coastal area of 200 km. In Callao and vicinity about 500 persons perished.

In all, 5000 persons perished as a result of the earthquake and tsunami.

The area affected by the earthquake failed to produce wheat crops for a long time (40 years), and so the ground had to be planted with lucerne and sugar cane.

The tsunami which was generated at the time of the earthquake reached the northeast shore of the island of Honshu. It was at Kamaishi (Iwate prefecture) on Oct 22 that 12 or 13 waves with a height of 0.5 m were observed. On the island of Okinawa (Ryukyu Island), three unusual waves were recorded on Oct 22 between 02:00 and 03:00 in the morning.

1682, Oct 19 (about 04:00 local time). In Pisco, the ocean receded to a point 2 km from the shore, only to rise with such force that the water advanced almost 2 km beyond its usual high mark. Many people who had followed the receding tide earlier now perished under the onslaught of the rising sea. The town was rebuilt about 1 km from the shore. [Evidently, the year must be in error, and this tsunami is the same as that of 20.X.1687.]

1686. In 1686 there was a terrible earthquake in Chile... changing the course of rivers and resulting in the inundation and destruction of towns. [Evidently, contradictory information, and the reference is to the tsunami of 20.X.1687].

(above from ref #415)

1687, Oct 20 11:30 UTC. 15.2 S, 75.9 W, depth 28 km, intensity X, tsunami, casualties. (ref #1208)

1687, Oct 20. Destruction of churches and almost all Lima in ruins. The Governor Palace seriously damaged, more than 200 dead. Tsunami waves caused ruins and another neighboring harbor. (ref #1102)

1687, Oct 20. 13.5 S, 76.5 W, magnitude 8.5 MS, runup height 8, tsunami intensity 3, validity 4. (ref #552)

1687, Oct. 20. Peru. Earthquake felt at Callao and Lima, and along a stretch of coast. At Callao the sea retreated and returned with great violence. The town and market were destroyed. (ref #39)

1687, Oct 20. 18:30 local time, 13.5 S, 77.5 W, magnitude 8.5. Kamaishi, Sanriku tsunami 50 cm high. Ayukawa 2 m, Okinawa tsunami, Sept. 17, 1-3h, Teikyo 4. (ref #150)