Today in Earthquake History

On July 9th...

• M6.2 - Azores Islands, Portugal, 1998

  Ten people killed, about 100 injured and 1,000 left homeless on Faial. Some damage on Pico and Terceira. Felt on Corvo and San Jorge.

• M7.0 - Sucre, Venezuela, 1997

  At least 81 people killed, 522 injured, extensive damage and landslides in the Cariaco-Cumana area. At least 3,000 people were left homeless. Several people injured in the Barcelona-Puerto La Cruz area. Some damage on Isla de Margarita. Power, telephone and water services disrupted on Isla Coche and Isla de Margarita. Felt in much of northeastern Venezuela and as far west as Maracaibo. Felt (V) on Trinidad. Also felt on Tobago.

• M4.6 - South Dakota-Minnesota Border, 1975

  The largest historical earthquake in Minnesota. The earthquake was felt over an area of approximately 315,000 square kilometers including northern Iowa, Minnesota, southeastern North Dakota, and eastern South Dakota. Maximum intensity was VI. This is the largest earthquake ever instrumentally located in the state of Minnesota. The last strongly felt earthquake in the State was a shock that occurred on September 3, 1917 near Staples with a maximum intensity of VI.

• M7.5 - Valparaiso, Chile, 1971

  84 people were killed, 447 injured, and 40,000 made homeless by this earthquake. The earthquake was centered 75 miles northwest of Santiago. Thousands were without electricity, drinking water, or telephones and some communities were isolated by landslides. The port city of Valparaiso was among the hardest hit. In Santiago frightened crowds rushed into the streets. Walls were cracked and water mains ruptured sending water spurting into the streets. The shock was felt as far away as Buenos Aires, Argentina, 650 miles to the east. A 1.2-meter tsunami was observed at Valaparaiso.