1829 Torrevieja earthquake
The 1829 Torrevieja earthquake occurred near the city of Torrevieja, Province of Alicante of southern Spain, and had an estimated magnitude of 6.6 Mw with a Mercalli intensity of IX (violent). It severely damaged numerous cities and it was known as the Torrevieja earthquake because this was the largest locality that suffered its effects.
  | |
| Local date | 21 March 1829 |
|---|---|
| Local time | 18:10 |
| Magnitude | 6.6 Mw |
| Depth | unknown |
| Epicenter | 38.05°N 0.410°W |
| Areas affected | Alicante, Spain |
| Max. intensity | IX (Violent) |
| Casualties | 389 dead 377 Injured |
Earthquake
In the southern province of Alicante, the period between 1820 and 1830 was the most seismically active, affecting the Bajo Segura seismotectonic line which has three major faults: the Benejúzar-Benijófar, Guardamar del Segura and Torrevieja. In general, the Alicante coast sank about 10 m (33 ft) across the Torrevieja fault.
From September 13, 1828 to March 21, 1829, there were a series of earthquakes in the area estimated at more than two hundred. At 18:10 on March 22, 1829 an earthquake occurred, 6.6 Mercalli intensity on the current seismological scale, Intensity of IX (Violent)
Damage and casualties
2,965 house were totally destroyed and 2,396 were damaged, destruction of bridges over the Segura river in Almoradi, Benejúzar, Dolores and Guardamar, and which extended the most serious effects, hundred of people were killed, half of them in Almoradí.
References
- El nuevo urbanismo del Bajo Segura a consecuencia del terremoto de 1829, Gregorio Canales Martínez, Biblioteca Virtual Miguel de Cervantes. (in Spanish)
- Terremotos más importantes ocurridos en España, Instituto Geográfico Nacional de España|Instituto Geográfico Nacional, Ministerio de Fomento. (in Spanish)
- Memoria (...) de los terremotos de 21 de marzo..., José Agustín de Larramendi, 1829, Biblioteca Digital Hispánica. (in Spanish)