In California, many small boats were damaged as the waves swept through marinas. People were reported killed by the waves. Many shoreline facilities and buildings near coastal areas were destroyed. Changes in sea level were noticed all around theįifteen hours after the earthquake, a tsunami with a runup of 35 feet swept over coastal areas of Hawaii. Tsunamis generated by theĮarthquake traveled across the Pacific Ocean at a speed of over 200 miles per hour. This is one of the few earthquakes that has killed large numbers of people at distant locations. $3 to $6 billion today, adjusted for inflation. The costs of the damage were estimated to have been between $400 and $800 million in 1960 dollars, which would be about They range from a low of 490 to a high of 'approximatelyĦ000.' Most of the casualties were caused by tsunamis in Chile and from ground motion. There are many different casualty estimates for this earthquake. They pushed buildings from their foundations and drowned many people. Waves swept over coastal areas moments after the earthquake occurred. Most of the damage and deaths were caused by a series of tsunamis that were generated by the earthquake. That placed them outside when the main earthquake occurred. It was fortunate that the earthquake occurred in the middle of the afternoon and was preceded by a powerful foreshock.Īfter the foreshock, many people were frightened and left their buildings.

The Chilean government estimated that about 2,000,000 people were left homeless. Ground motion from this earthquakeĭestroyed or damaged thousands of buildings. The earthquake occurred beneath the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Chile. Local Damage from Ground Motion and Tsunamis This scene shows part of a coastal community where homes were torn from their foundations and tossed about by the waves. Largest earthquake - tsunami damage: An aerial view of damage caused along the coast of Chile by the tsunamis.

Quake series best to worst