  Lisbon Portugal November 1, 1755 at 9:40am  Earthquakes from epicenter in Atlantic Ocean  200 km WSW of Cape St Vincent  Estimated , 2-3 minutes, near 100,00 lost  First scientifically studied earthquake  For its effect over a large area  Born : modern seismology  Forty min after, water receded  Tsunami 10 m (33 ft) high  Carried debris 0.5 km inland  Two other waves followed  Fissures 5m (15 feet) opened  Damaged 90% buildings  Fires destroyed libraries, raged for five days Case: Great Lisbon Earthquake Google Images: Lisbon 1755 Earthquake

  Earthquake shocks felt throughout Europe  Felt in Finland, N. Africa, Greenland, Caribbean  Tsunamis 66 ft N. Africa, Martinique, Barbados  3 ft Cornwall, England, Ireland  Boundary between African (Nubian) and Eurasian plates  Complex, active tectonic movement  Responsible for prior earthquakes:  Eight in 14 th century, five in 16 th century  Three in 17 th century  Two others in 18 th century  1531 : destroyed 1500 homes  1597 : three streets vanished Distance and History

Azores-Gibraltar Fault Zone  Azores-Gibraltar fault zone Azores-Gibraltar  Major geological fault associated with Lisbon quakeLisbon quake  Runs east from eastern end of Terceira Rift in Azores  Extends through Strait of Gibraltar to Mediterranean  Forms part of tectonic boundary  Between African (Nubian) and Eurasian plates  Diffuse fault boundary; not quite understood