Chilean Earthquake Fact Sheet

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The earthquake that hit Chile on February 28, 2010, was one of the most severe earthquakes in recorded history, killing hundreds and devastating Concepción, the second largest city in the country. For earthquake and insurance related facts and statistics specific to Chile, please see below.

There were over 50 severe earthquakes in Chile in the 20th century, according to Axco Information Services.  The 10 largest, based on magnitude,  are listed below.The chart does not include the February 27, 2010 Chile quake, which had an 8.8 magnitude, and would make the list.

MAJOR EARTHQUAKES IN CHILE
Year Location Magnitude Fatalities Damage ($ U.S. millions) Insured damage ($ U.S. millions)
2005 Tarapaca 7.8 11 NA $40.0
1998 Antofagasta 6.5 3 NA NA
1997 Pueblo Nuevo/Illapel 7.1 8 $48 NA
1995 Antofagasta 8.0 3 30 8.5
1985 Santiago/Valparaiso and San Antonio 7.6 180 1,200 85.0
1965 Valparaiso 7.4 400 80 NA
1960 Valdivia 8.8 3,000 800 NA
1939 Chillan 8.3 30,000 38 NA
1928 Talca 8.3 220 NA NA
1906 Valparaiso 8.6 3,800 260 NA
NA=Data not available.

Source: AXCO.

DEADLIEST EARTHQUAKES 1900-JANUARY 2010 IN CENTRAL AMERICA, SOUTH AMERICA, CARIBBEAN (1)

Date Affected area Fatalities
Jan. 12, 2010 Haiti: South: Port-au-Prince, Petionville, Jacmel, Carrefour,
Leogane, Petit Goave, Gressier		 222,500
May 31, 1970 Peru: Northwest: Coast line, Chimbote; Mt. Huascaran, Trujillo, Yungay, Huaraz 67,000
Jan. 25, 1939 Chile: Central: Concepcion, Chillan 28,000
Feb. 4, 1976 Guatemala, Mexico, Honduras 23,000
Aug. 17, 1906 Chile: Central: Valparaiso 20,000
Dec. 23, 1972 Nicaragua: West: Managua 11,000
Sep. 19, 1985 Mexico: Central: Mexico City, Guerrero, Jalisco, Michoacan, Acapulco, Colima, Ciudad Guzman 9,500
Aug. 5, 1949 Ecuador: Central: Ambato 6,000
Jan. 15, 1944 Argentina: West: San Juan 5,600
Jan. 3, 1918 Guatemala: South: Guatemala, Amatitlan 2,650

(1) As of February 2010.

Source: © Munich Re, Geo Risks Research, NatCatSERVICE.

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