LISBON EARTHQUAKE AND TSUNAMI-PORTUGAL 1755

 LISBON EARTHQUAKE AND TSUNAMI-PORTUGAL 1755

 

The 1755 Lisbon earthquake is one of the deadliest and most impactful natural disasters in history. Occurring on November 1, 1755, it struck the city of Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, and is estimated to have had a magnitude of 8.5–9.0. The earthquake was followed by a massive tsunami and devastating fires, which together caused widespread destruction throughout the city and surrounding regions.

The earthquake hit on All Saints' Day, when many people were in churches, and its effects were catastrophic. The ground shaking lasted for several minutes, collapsing buildings and causing widespread devastation in Lisbon. Within minutes, a tsunami hit the coastline, washing away entire neighborhoods along the waterfront and drowning thousands of people. Following the earthquake and tsunami, fires broke out in the city, burning for days and further contributing to the loss of life and property.

The disaster is estimated to have killed between 30,000 and 100,000 people in Lisbon alone, and its effects were felt across Europe, North Africa, and even the Americas. The earthquake caused significant damage to the Portuguese economy and led to political and social upheaval. In addition, the disaster had a profound impact on philosophy and religion in Europe. It raised questions about divine justice, the nature of suffering, and the role of God in human affairs, influencing thinkers like Voltaire and Immanuel Kant.

The 1755 Lisbon earthquake also marked a turning point in seismology, as it spurred early studies into the causes of earthquakes and tsunamis. It remains one of the deadliest and most historically significant seismic events in world history.