Portugal and Much of Europe Tsunamis 1755
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tsunami, tsunami history, tsunami photos, tsunami pictures, tsunami videos, tusunami
On
November 1st 1755, one of the biggest earthquakes in history occurred
in the Atlantic Ocean just of the coast of the Portuguese capital city
of Lisbon. The total duration of shaking lasted ten minutes and was
comprised of three distinct jolts. Scientists estimate that the
earthquake was in the range of 9.0 on the Richter scale, which caused
extensive damage throughout Lisbon. Surprisingly, the events that
unfolded from this disaster has been well-documented.
After the earthquake, survivors rushed to the open space of the
docks for safety and watched as the water receded, revealing the sea
floor, littered by lost cargo and old shipwrecks. About 35 minutes
after the initial earthquake, an enormous tsunami engulfed the
Portuguese harbor and the city’s downtown. Two other tsunamis followed
to add to more devastation to the already suffering area. Effects from
the earthquake and tsunamis were far reaching. The worst damage
occurred in the south-west of Portugal, which included Lisbon. The
tsunami reached, with less intensity, the coast of Spain, France, Great
Britain, Ireland, Belgium and Holland. In Madeira and in the Azores
islands damage was extensive and many ships were in danger of being
wrecked. In total, over 100,000 people were killed, with most
fatalities incurred in Lisbon, where over a third of the population
were instantaneously wiped out. This tragic disaster served as the
impetus for earthquake research in the world.
