The 1940 Lima and Callao earthquake occurred on May 24, 1940, at 11:35 in the morning (local time), devastating Lima, the Constitutional Province of Callao and the coastal area of the department of Lima, in Peru. There was also a tsunami. The earthquake was felt from Guayaquil (Ecuador) in the north to Arica (Chile) in the south. It produced an intensity of VI MMI in the Callejón de Huaylas; V MMI in Trujillo "Trujillo (Peru)"), IV MMI in Paita and Piura.
It was the largest earthquake to affect Lima in the century and the second since the founding of the city, after the Lima Earthquake of 1746.
The earthquake
The press reports about the earthquake that shook Lima that day describe it eloquently: "At that time a dull rumble announced the arrival of the phenomenon, which continued with extraordinary violence until shaking the walls of the buildings. Seconds later it was easy to notice how the moldings, cornices and applications were detached from the houses to fall with an impressive crash. At the same time, a cloud of dust arose, a consequence of the material torn from the quincha and land" (Diario El Comercio "El Comercio (Perú)") of Lima). The dust cloud also came from the collapsed cliffs in the coastal area.[1].
The earthquake was considered one of the worst recorded up to that time in the capital of Peru, but it affected Callao more severely, as it was closer to the epicenter, with the port suffering the onslaught of a tsunami, with the sea retreating 150 meters away and returning with waves 3 meters high that completely flooded the docks.
Many school buildings suffered serious damage. Because the earthquake coincided with the students' dismissal time, it caused greater confusion.[2].
Consequences
The areas of Lima most affected by the earthquake were: the Center of Lima, Chorrillos, where 80% of the homes were collapsed and the boardwalk sunk in sections, Barranco and La Molina. There were 179 deaths and 3,500 injuries in the city.
The oldest areas of the capital, where adobe and quincha predominated as construction materials, suffered serious deterioration; On the other hand, the most modern buildings, even the tallest, resisted the movement. This is because since the 1930s Lima had experienced urban growth with the construction of buildings and homes that responded to the demands of modernity and security. In the center of Lima, the old buildings were seriously affected, many of them collapsing days later. The electrical installations, interrupted during the earthquake, were resumed after a few hours. Among the most important buildings that were affected were the façade of the Desamparados Station, which had to be propped up due to its dangerous inclination towards the ground. Likewise, the church of San Agustín "Iglesia de San Agustín (Lima)"), the church of La Merced "Basilica and convent of Nuestra Señora de la Merced (Lima)") and the church of San Francisco suffered cracks in their walls, so various repair works were necessary.
Molding detachments
Introduction
The 1940 Lima and Callao earthquake occurred on May 24, 1940, at 11:35 in the morning (local time), devastating Lima, the Constitutional Province of Callao and the coastal area of the department of Lima, in Peru. There was also a tsunami. The earthquake was felt from Guayaquil (Ecuador) in the north to Arica (Chile) in the south. It produced an intensity of VI MMI in the Callejón de Huaylas; V MMI in Trujillo "Trujillo (Peru)"), IV MMI in Paita and Piura.
It was the largest earthquake to affect Lima in the century and the second since the founding of the city, after the Lima Earthquake of 1746.
The earthquake
The press reports about the earthquake that shook Lima that day describe it eloquently: "At that time a dull rumble announced the arrival of the phenomenon, which continued with extraordinary violence until shaking the walls of the buildings. Seconds later it was easy to notice how the moldings, cornices and applications were detached from the houses to fall with an impressive crash. At the same time, a cloud of dust arose, a consequence of the material torn from the quincha and land" (Diario El Comercio "El Comercio (Perú)") of Lima). The dust cloud also came from the collapsed cliffs in the coastal area.[1].
The earthquake was considered one of the worst recorded up to that time in the capital of Peru, but it affected Callao more severely, as it was closer to the epicenter, with the port suffering the onslaught of a tsunami, with the sea retreating 150 meters away and returning with waves 3 meters high that completely flooded the docks.
Many school buildings suffered serious damage. Because the earthquake coincided with the students' dismissal time, it caused greater confusion.[2].
Consequences
The areas of Lima most affected by the earthquake were: the Center of Lima, Chorrillos, where 80% of the homes were collapsed and the boardwalk sunk in sections, Barranco and La Molina. There were 179 deaths and 3,500 injuries in the city.
The Government Palace did not suffer major damage, given its recent construction. President Manuel Prado y Ugarteche toured the city evaluating the disaster. Many people settled and spent the night in the streets and gardens in fear of a new seismic movement.
The Víctor Manuel III Stadium (in Pueblo Libre), which since its inauguration in 1922 was the only football stadium belonging to a Peruvian club (the Circolo Sportivo Italiano), did not resist the earthquake.[3].
On the other hand, due to the results of this earthquake, the regulation of future constructions was discussed since the majority of the existing houses and lots were old and unsafe.
In Callao, the aftermath of the earthquake was devastating: 100 dead, 2,000 injured and five thousand houses destroyed were counted. The Mother Church was severely damaged: one of its towers collapsed and the other was at risk of falling. The La Punta spa was hit by the tsunami but the damage was not so extensive, because the houses had been built recently. At the Maritime Terminal the floor sank by more than 500 meters and the water came out behind the Customs building. Many streets cracked and seawater could be seen coming out. But the greatest damage occurred in the alleys and houses of the poor people, as almost all of them were left in ruins. Initially, tents were distributed to house the residents. But it was also noted: "These people cannot live camping for many days, we must give them accommodation where they can shelter for some time." In this way, the construction of houses began in Callao to house the workers and employees who suffered the loss of their properties as a result of the earthquake, which was a priority task in the following months.
Other earthquakes of the 1940s in Peru
In subsequent years there were other earthquakes in various parts of Peru. On August 24, 1942, a violent earthquake occurred in Nazca, in the department of Ica, destroying the city. On November 10, 1946, it was Sihuas, in the department of Ancash, that suffered an earthquake, which spread through several provinces of said department and that of La Libertad "Department of La Libertad (Peru)"), with a high number of deaths (approximately 2,500). On November 1, 1947, another seismic movement took place, located between the central mountains and the jungle, with its epicenter in Satipo, department of Junín.
• - Annex: Earthquakes in Peru.
Fountain
• - Magazine of the Regatas Lima Club: The Club and the 1940 earthquake.
• - The 20th Century of El Comercio. 1940-1949. Plaza & Janés Editores S.A. Peru Edition, 2000. Printed in the workshops of Empresa Editora El Comercio S.A. ISBN 9972-617-18-1.
• - Guerra, Margarita: General History of Peru. Volume XII. The contemporary Republic (1919-1950). First Edition. Milla Batres Editorial. Lima, Peru, 1984. ISBN 84-499-4818-5.
The oldest areas of the capital, where adobe and quincha predominated as construction materials, suffered serious deterioration; On the other hand, the most modern buildings, even the tallest, resisted the movement. This is because since the 1930s Lima had experienced urban growth with the construction of buildings and homes that responded to the demands of modernity and security. In the center of Lima, the old buildings were seriously affected, many of them collapsing days later. The electrical installations, interrupted during the earthquake, were resumed after a few hours. Among the most important buildings that were affected were the façade of the Desamparados Station, which had to be propped up due to its dangerous inclination towards the ground. Likewise, the church of San Agustín "Iglesia de San Agustín (Lima)"), the church of La Merced "Basilica and convent of Nuestra Señora de la Merced (Lima)") and the church of San Francisco suffered cracks in their walls, so various repair works were necessary.
The Government Palace did not suffer major damage, given its recent construction. President Manuel Prado y Ugarteche toured the city evaluating the disaster. Many people settled and spent the night in the streets and gardens in fear of a new seismic movement.
The Víctor Manuel III Stadium (in Pueblo Libre), which since its inauguration in 1922 was the only football stadium belonging to a Peruvian club (the Circolo Sportivo Italiano), did not resist the earthquake.[3].
On the other hand, due to the results of this earthquake, the regulation of future constructions was discussed since the majority of the existing houses and lots were old and unsafe.
In Callao, the aftermath of the earthquake was devastating: 100 dead, 2,000 injured and five thousand houses destroyed were counted. The Mother Church was severely damaged: one of its towers collapsed and the other was at risk of falling. The La Punta spa was hit by the tsunami but the damage was not so extensive, because the houses had been built recently. At the Maritime Terminal the floor sank by more than 500 meters and the water came out behind the Customs building. Many streets cracked and seawater could be seen coming out. But the greatest damage occurred in the alleys and houses of the poor people, as almost all of them were left in ruins. Initially, tents were distributed to house the residents. But it was also noted: "These people cannot live camping for many days, we must give them accommodation where they can shelter for some time." In this way, the construction of houses began in Callao to house the workers and employees who suffered the loss of their properties as a result of the earthquake, which was a priority task in the following months.
Other earthquakes of the 1940s in Peru
In subsequent years there were other earthquakes in various parts of Peru. On August 24, 1942, a violent earthquake occurred in Nazca, in the department of Ica, destroying the city. On November 10, 1946, it was Sihuas, in the department of Ancash, that suffered an earthquake, which spread through several provinces of said department and that of La Libertad "Department of La Libertad (Peru)"), with a high number of deaths (approximately 2,500). On November 1, 1947, another seismic movement took place, located between the central mountains and the jungle, with its epicenter in Satipo, department of Junín.
• - Annex: Earthquakes in Peru.
Fountain
• - Magazine of the Regatas Lima Club: The Club and the 1940 earthquake.
• - The 20th Century of El Comercio. 1940-1949. Plaza & Janés Editores S.A. Peru Edition, 2000. Printed in the workshops of Empresa Editora El Comercio S.A. ISBN 9972-617-18-1.
• - Guerra, Margarita: General History of Peru. Volume XII. The contemporary Republic (1919-1950). First Edition. Milla Batres Editorial. Lima, Peru, 1984. ISBN 84-499-4818-5.