| Local date | 4 February 1797 |
|---|---|
| Local time | 07:30 |
| Magnitude | 7.6 Mw 8.3 ML |
| Epicenter | 1°36′S 78°36′W / 1.6°S 78.6°W |
| Areas affected | Ecuador |
| Max. intensity | MMI XI (Extreme) |
| Casualties | 6,000–40,000 |
The 1797 Riobamba earthquake occurred at 12:30 UTC on 4 February. It devastated the city of Riobamba and many other cities in the Interandean valley, causing between 6,000 and 40,000 casualties. It is estimated that seismic intensities in the epicentral area reached at least XI (Extreme) on the Mercalli intensity scale, and that the earthquake had a magnitude of 7.6–8.3,[1][2] the most powerful historical event known in Ecuador.[3] The earthquake was studied by Prussian geographer Alexander von Humboldt, when he visited the area in 1801–1802.[4]
- ^ Céline Beauval; Hugo Yepes; William H. Bakun; José Egred; Alexandra Alvarado; Juan-Carlos Singaucho (2010). "Locations and magnitudes of historical earthquakes in the Sierra of Ecuador (1587–1996)". Geophysical Journal International. 131 (3): 1613–1633. Bibcode:2010GeoJI.181.1613B. doi:10.1111/j.1365-246X.2010.04569.x. S2CID 4617325.
- ^ National Geophysical Data Center / World Data Service (NGDC/WDS): NCEI/WDS Global Significant Earthquake Database. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (1972), Significant Earthquake Information, NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K, retrieved 20 August 2010
- ^ Chunga, K. "Seismic Hazard Assessment for Guayaquil City (Ecuador): Insights from Quaternary Geological Data" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-07-17. Retrieved 22 August 2010.
- ^ Lavilla, E.O. (2004). "Under the Southern Cross: Stories around Humboldt and Bonpland's trip to the New Continent" (PDF). Latin American Applied Research. 34: 203–208. Retrieved 22 August 2010.