2010 Salta earthquake
Encyclopedia
The 2010 Salta earthquake occurred on Saturday, February 27, 2010 at 15:43:36 UTC (12:45:36 local time) in Salta Province
, Argentina
and had magnitude
of 6.3. It occurred less than 12 hours after the far larger 2010 Chile earthquake
, which killed over 500 people. Initially thought to be an aftershock of the Chile earthquake, scientists later established that the earthquakes were unrelated. It took place just to the north of the city of Salta
. The quake killed two people, and injured dozens (possibly up to 100 people).
at the time the earthquake in Salta occurred, which drew needed attention away from Salta. The Argentinian government had been concentrating on helping Chile without delay, not knowning that a quake had occurred in their own country earlier. Many estimate that the Chile earthquake did slightly affect the Salta earthquake, possibly adding to the destruction caused by the Salta quake. Some scientists have theories that imply connections between the two earthquakes, yet the results are at this point still theoretical and mostly unfounded. The best evidence is that there was some strange activity in the Earth's crust that day, as there had been earthquakes in Japan, Chile, and Argentina, all within 24-hour ranges.
and La Merced
, where several adobe
houses collapsed, and numerous others were left uninhabitable.
There were two deaths. An 8-year-old boy from the town of La Merced
was crushed in his home and a 53-year old man from the town of La Silleta
died under similar circumstances. Up to 100 injuries were estimated.
"The 6.3 magnitude quake struck around midday about 15 miles north of the city of Salta, some 800 miles north-northwest of the capital Buenos Aires
, the U.S. Geological Survey reported.
An 8-year-old boy died and two other children were injured, a hospital director in Salta told local media."
Salta Province
Salta is a province of Argentina, located in the northwest of the country. Neighboring provinces are from the east clockwise Formosa, Chaco, Santiago del Estero, Tucumán and Catamarca. It also surrounds Jujuy...
, Argentina
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
and had magnitude
Moment magnitude scale
The moment magnitude scale is used by seismologists to measure the size of earthquakes in terms of the energy released. The magnitude is based on the seismic moment of the earthquake, which is equal to the rigidity of the Earth multiplied by the average amount of slip on the fault and the size of...
of 6.3. It occurred less than 12 hours after the far larger 2010 Chile earthquake
2010 Chile earthquake
The 2010 Chile earthquake occurred off the coast of central Chile on Saturday, 27 February 2010, at 03:34 local time , having a magnitude of 8.8 on the moment magnitude scale, with intense shaking lasting for about three minutes. It ranks as the sixth largest earthquake ever to be recorded by a...
, which killed over 500 people. Initially thought to be an aftershock of the Chile earthquake, scientists later established that the earthquakes were unrelated. It took place just to the north of the city of Salta
Salta
Salta is a city in northwestern Argentina and the capital city of the Salta Province. Along with its metropolitan area, it has a population of 464,678 inhabitants as of the , making it Argentina's eighth largest city.-Overview:...
. The quake killed two people, and injured dozens (possibly up to 100 people).
Relationship to the Chile earthquake
Many in Salta believe it was an aftershock to the earlier Chile earthquake, this initial confusion— especially among people without expertise in geology—is understandable. Most media and governmental attention was on ChileChile
Chile ,officially the Republic of Chile , is a country in South America occupying a long, narrow coastal strip between the Andes mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It borders Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east, and the Drake Passage in the far...
at the time the earthquake in Salta occurred, which drew needed attention away from Salta. The Argentinian government had been concentrating on helping Chile without delay, not knowning that a quake had occurred in their own country earlier. Many estimate that the Chile earthquake did slightly affect the Salta earthquake, possibly adding to the destruction caused by the Salta quake. Some scientists have theories that imply connections between the two earthquakes, yet the results are at this point still theoretical and mostly unfounded. The best evidence is that there was some strange activity in the Earth's crust that day, as there had been earthquakes in Japan, Chile, and Argentina, all within 24-hour ranges.
Damage and casualties
The damage was not great, but small buildings and slums were easily destroyed. The earthquake received little regional coverage, largely because the catastrophe in Chile, that very same day, garnered the most attention. Much of the destruction happened in the towns of Campo QuijanoCampo Quijano
Campo Quijano is a town and municipality in Salta Province in northwestern Argentina.-References:...
and La Merced
La Merced, Salta
La Merced is a town and municipality in Salta Province in northwestern Argentina....
, where several adobe
Adobe
Adobe is a natural building material made from sand, clay, water, and some kind of fibrous or organic material , which the builders shape into bricks using frames and dry in the sun. Adobe buildings are similar to cob and mudbrick buildings. Adobe structures are extremely durable, and account for...
houses collapsed, and numerous others were left uninhabitable.
There were two deaths. An 8-year-old boy from the town of La Merced
La Merced
La Merced may refer to*Argentina** La Merced, Catamarca, Paclín Department** La Merced, Salta, Cerrillos Department*Colombia**La Merced, Caldas*Mexico**La Merced, Mexico City**La Merced Cloister, Mexico City*Peru**La Merced, Junín...
was crushed in his home and a 53-year old man from the town of La Silleta
La Silleta
La Silleta is a village and rural municipality in Salta Province in northwestern Argentina.-References:...
died under similar circumstances. Up to 100 injuries were estimated.
"The 6.3 magnitude quake struck around midday about 15 miles north of the city of Salta, some 800 miles north-northwest of the capital Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires is the capital and largest city of Argentina, and the second-largest metropolitan area in South America, after São Paulo. It is located on the western shore of the estuary of the Río de la Plata, on the southeastern coast of the South American continent...
, the U.S. Geological Survey reported.
An 8-year-old boy died and two other children were injured, a hospital director in Salta told local media."