1773 Guatemala earthquake
Encyclopedia
The 1773 Guatemala earthquake struck Guatemala
on July 29, 1773 and had an estimated epicentral intensity magnitude of 7.5 Mi. It was followed by numerous aftershock
s which lasted until December 1773. The series of all these earthquakes is also referred to as the Santa Marta earthquake(s) as it had started on the feast day of Saint Martha
. With an intensity of approximately MM
VII to VIII, the Santa Marta earthquakes destroyed much of Antigua Guatemala
, at that time the colonial capital of Central America. About 500 - 600 people died immediately and at least another 600 died from starvation and disease as a result of the earthquake.
and decided after the 1773 event not to rebuild the city again. Thus in 1776 the capital was moved to the new city of Guatemala of Asuncion, known today as today Guatemala City
.
Guatemala
Guatemala is a country in Central America bordered by Mexico to the north and west, the Pacific Ocean to the southwest, Belize to the northeast, the Caribbean to the east, and Honduras and El Salvador to the southeast...
on July 29, 1773 and had an estimated epicentral intensity magnitude of 7.5 Mi. It was followed by numerous aftershock
Aftershock
An aftershock is a smaller earthquake that occurs after a previous large earthquake, in the same area of the main shock. If an aftershock is larger than the main shock, the aftershock is redesignated as the main shock and the original main shock is redesignated as a foreshock...
s which lasted until December 1773. The series of all these earthquakes is also referred to as the Santa Marta earthquake(s) as it had started on the feast day of Saint Martha
Martha
Martha of Bethany is a biblical figure described in the Gospels of Luke and John. Together with her siblings Lazarus and Mary, she is described as living in the village of Bethany near Jerusalem...
. With an intensity of approximately MM
Mercalli intensity scale
The Mercalli intensity scale is a seismic scale used for measuring the intensity of an earthquake. It measures the effects of an earthquake, and is distinct from the moment magnitude M_w usually reported for an earthquake , which is a measure of the energy released...
VII to VIII, the Santa Marta earthquakes destroyed much of Antigua Guatemala
Antigua Guatemala
Antigua Guatemala is a city in the central highlands of Guatemala famous for its well-preserved Spanish Mudéjar-influenced Baroque architecture as well as a number of spectacular ruins of colonial churches...
, at that time the colonial capital of Central America. About 500 - 600 people died immediately and at least another 600 died from starvation and disease as a result of the earthquake.
Move of the capital
Spanish authorities had already considered moving the capital to a safer area after the devastation of the 1717 earthquake1717 Guatemala earthquake
The 1717 Guatemala earthquake was an earthquake that struck Guatemala on September 29, 1717 and had an estimated magnitude of 7.4 Mw. With an intensity of approximately MM IX, the earthquake essentially destroyed much of the architecture of Antigua Guatemala, which was the colonial capital of...
and decided after the 1773 event not to rebuild the city again. Thus in 1776 the capital was moved to the new city of Guatemala of Asuncion, known today as today Guatemala City
Guatemala City
Guatemala City , is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Guatemala and Central America...
.