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Reconstruction of the 1755 Earthquake

Reconstruction of the 1755 Earthquake. McGill University 2011 F-X Capelle – Eric Munro – Adrien Iredale. Table of Content. 1) Reconstruction based on geophysical data Tectonic setting Generated tsunami wave 2) Local destruction and aftershocks Post 1755 earthquakes

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Reconstruction of the 1755 Earthquake

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  1. Reconstruction of the 1755 Earthquake McGill University 2011 F-X Capelle – Eric Munro – AdrienIredale

  2. Table of Content • 1) Reconstruction based on geophysical data • Tectonic setting • Generated tsunami wave • 2) Local destruction and aftershocks • Post 1755 earthquakes • 1st interests in seismology • 3) Impact on European culture and society • Colonial ambitions restricted • Cultural repercussions

  3. Part 1 – Reconstruction of 1755 earthquake based on geophysical data

  4. Magnitude Felt area radii  Mw 8.7 ± 0.4 Compare to 1969 earthquake tsunami wave height Energy release 40 times greater than the 1969 earthquake (Mw 7.9)  Implies a 1755 magnitude between 8.9 and 9.4

  5. The Tectonic Setting

  6. Summary of proposed sources Figure 1: Principle tectonic structures identified around SW Iberian continental margin

  7. Duration and Complexity – Ground Motion Figure 2 – Reported Durations of the 1755 mainshock

  8. Macroseismic Field Figure 3 – Macroseismic MSK intensities of the 1755 mainshock

  9. Farfield long period affects • Malaga: “tops of high buildings fell” • Milan and Amsterdam: “oscillating chandeliers from cathedral roofs” • Across Holland and Germany: “many rivers and canals were sent into pronounced oscillation” • Scotland: “water levels rose and fell 0.8m for a period of 10 minutes”… “so violent to threaten destruction to some houses built on lake shores”

  10. Coseismic deformation Figure 4 – Potential coseismic deformation from the 1755 earthquake

  11. The Local Tsunami Figure 5 – Tsunami arrival times after the 1755 mainshock

  12. The Farfield Tsunami Figure 6 – Farfield tsunami arrival time from 1755 mainshock

  13. Part 2 – Local destruction and aftershocks

  14. Aftershocks and Triggered Earthquakes • Many aftershocks in the hours and days to follow. • Algiers, Algeria; city and harbour severely damaged. • November 27th, 1755 Meknes, Morocco • MSK IX-X, Mw 8.5-9.4 • March 31st , 1761 • MSK IX, Mw 8.5 (inferred)

  15. 2.4m high Tsunami in Cork, Ireland • 1.9m high Tsunami in Cornwall, England • 1.2m high Tsunami in Barbados 2.5 min 5 min 3 min 3 min

  16. Local Damage Mw 8.7 +/- 0.4, MSK IX-X • City of 240,000 , and deaths between 10,000 and 100,000. • 85% of the buildings were destroyed. • Art, literature, and explorations records destroyed. • Restricted colonial ambitions.

  17. The Fire • Caused by thousands of candles and unattended cooking fires • Spread fast across small streets • Lack of rescue organization • Destroyed lots of important buildings that were not affected by the earthquake

  18. The Start of Seismology • The Prime Minister designed a national survey concerning the earthquake. • Cataloging of times, locations, and physical effects began. • Construction of the first earthquake resistant buildings.

  19. Part 3– Impact on European culture and society

  20. Loss of Colonial Presence - Economic effort went to re-building coastal cities, not colonies. - Loss of grounds in colonies, later defeats against Spain.

  21. First Earthquake Theories Kant: First non-religious earthquake theories, including movement of gases in caves.

  22. The Earthquake in European Culture Age of Enlightenment: Developing philosophy leading to the modern human rights, with the distinct separation of God from life. J.J. Rousseau: Support for his theory that man is naturally good, and that society corrupts him. Voltaire’s Candide: Denying a perfect world created by God

  23. References • R.A. Hindson, C. Andrade (1999), Sedimentation and hydrodynamicprocesses associated with the tsunami generated by the 1755 Lisbon earthquake, Quaternary International, Vol. 56, pp 27-38 • - A.C. Johnson (1996), Seismic moment assessment of earthquakes in stable continental regions—III. New Madrid 1811-1812, Charleston 1886 and Lisbon 1755, Geophysical Journal International, Vol. 126, pp. 314-344 • - J.T. Kozak, C.D. James (1998), Historical depictions of the 1755 Lisbon Earthquake, NISEE, University of Berkeley. • - N. Zitinelli, F. Chierici, R.Sartori and L.Torelli (1999), The tectonic source of the 1755 Lisbon earthquake and tsunami, Annali de geofisica, Vol. 42, pp. 49-55

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