1986 Chilean Tsunami
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Tsunamis
"Tsunami" is the Japanese word meaning tidal wave. A tidal wave is a large sea wave caused by a submarine earthquake or volcanic explosion. When the ocean floor is tilted or offset during an earthquake, a set of waves is created. These waves are similar to the concentric waves generated by an object dropped into the water. When a tsunami strikes the shore, it creates a number of waves with troughs that are lower than normal sea level. Each following wave is higher than the one before it. The period between waves is 10 to 30 minutes. This usually gives people ample time to escape to high ground after the first wave.

1986 Chilean Tsunami


An earthquake occurred in South Central Chile on May 22, 1960 . A large tsunami was triggered by the earthquake. The Tsunamis magnitude was 8.6. The number of fatalities associated with the tsunami was 2,290. The tsunami brought about 1/2 billion dollars in damage.

The inhabitants which feared the initial earthquake went out to sea on boats in an attempt to escape the shaking. The trough of the tsunami soon arrived only 10 minutes after the earthquake. All boats were lost and all there passengers were killed.



National Geophysical Data Center

The above photograph shows the devestating aftermath of the Chilean tsunami in the Waiakea area of Hilo, Hawaii. Parking meters were bent by the force of the powerful tsunami. Only buildings of reinforced concrete or structural steel remained standing.