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CHILE: 22 May 1960 was a date for all to remember. It was the day when Chile was struck by the largest earthquake ever recorded by instruments in the world. This earthquake took place in the eastern Pacific Ocean about 100 miles off the west coast of Chile, South America.

The quake measured a magnitude of 9.5 on the Richter scale. It was caused by a subduction zone where the Chile Ridge oceanic plate was slipping under the South American plate. In fact, the Chile Ridge oceanic plate continued to dive down below the continent and this regular slow movement, together with some occasional rapid shifts, created a strong earthquake throughout the region.

Within few minutes after the earthquake, tsunami waves struck the coast of Chile. These enormous waves of approximately 25 meters high smashed the coastline and travelled inland for almost half a mile. Many affecting countries like Hawaii, the Philippines and even Japan were also not spared. The waves, which moved at speeds up to 200 miles per hour, devastated everything in their paths.

Subsequently in Chile, the death toll was estimated at 1,655 and 3,000 people injured, and 2 million people were homeless. Total loss and damage to property was overwhelming which worth $550 million. Tsunami caused 61 deaths and $75 million worth of damage in Hawaii; 138 deaths and $50 million worth of damage in Japan; 32 dead and missing in the Philippines. The west coast of the United States was stated to have $500,000 worth of damage.

The government flew to the affected area with transport filled with equipment, along with the doctors and nurses to serve the injured victims. Both the Chilean and American governments who responded to earlier offers, called on the missionaries, who were assigned to each hospital unit. The Chilean government allowed the elders to access to all available means of transportation and communication. The elders travelled along with the doctors who were serving as official interpreters for medical staff.

I think that for the governments need to build strong foundations when constructing buildings to prevent them from collapsing when there is an earthquake. The buildings built should not be built near the epicentre of the earth too. The governments should also be prepared in case of any emergencies to avoid any loss of lives.

Bibliograhy:

http://earthquakes.suite101.com/article.cfm/worlds_strongest_earthquake
http://www.extremescience.com/GreatestEarthquake.htm
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/world/events/1960_05_22.php
http://74.125.153.132/search?q=cache:q9rkIsRNNQ8J:www.keepapitchinin.org/2009/04/06/mormon-missionaries-and-el-gran-terremoto-de-valdivia-1960/+how+did+the+government+respond+to+1960+chile+earthquake&cd=7&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=sg

Reported by: Lim Hui Chin(Gladyn) [15]

8:39 PM