How severe were the consequences?
The Chile earthquake resulted in a substantial amount of damage and loss of life both in that country and in the distant Pacific coastal areas (due to the tsunami that was generated). The earthquake, caused the most damages in Puerto Montt, Valdivia, Rio Negro, Concepcion, Lebu, Maldivia, Alerce, Rinihue, Totoral and Villarica.
Destruction caused by the Tsunami
Even though Chile is situated in an earthquake prone location, the buildings and structures were not designed for high magnitudes.Therefore the ground damage caused by this earthquake resulted in the damage of numerous buildings and houses with an estimate of 2,000,000 people left homeless. Agricultural industries were destroyed due to the earthquake, killing of livestock and farms, with many farms not able to return back to its prosperous state after.
Towns affected by the Earthquake
Initially 717 people were missing in Chile, but the Chilean Government reported that an estimate of 2,000 people were killed, 3,000 people were injured, 58,622 houses were completely destroyed and a total of $550 million U.S dollars of damage were caused by the earthquake.
Destruction of houses