1829 Torrevieja earthquake

The 1829 Torrevieja earthquake occurred near the city of Torrevieja, Province of Alicante of southern Spain on 21 March 1829. It had an estimated magnitude of 6.6 M_w and a Mercalli intensity of IX (Violent). It severely damaged many cities. The event was named after the city of Torrevieja because it was the largest locality to be affected.

1829 Alicante earthquake

Local date	21 March 1829
Local time	18:10
Magnitude	6.6 Mw
Epicenter	38.05°N 0.410°W / 38.05; -0.410
Areas affected	Province of Alicante, Spain
Max. intensity	MMI 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 faults. In general, the Alicante coast sank about 10 m (33 ft) across the Torrevieja fault.

From 13 September 1828 to 21 March 1829, there were a series of earthquakes in the area estimated at more than two hundred. At 18:10 on 21 March 1829 an earthquake occurred, measuring 6.6 M_w  and assigned a maximum intensity of IX (Violent).

Damage and casualties

At least 2,965 houses were totally destroyed and 2,396 were damaged. Destruction of bridges over the Segura river in Almoradi, Benejúzar, Dolores and Guardamar was reported. Hundreds of people were killed, half of them in Almoradí.

See also

• List of earthquakes in Spain
• 1884 Andalusian earthquake

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)