Lisbon Earthquake

Lisbon is known as the city of earthquake because over the years it has witnessed several destructive earthquakes. First Lisbon Earthquake occurred in 1009. In 1344 Lisbon experienced shock waves along the sea coast. After a few years, on August 24, 1356, an earthquake hit the city. Though this Earthquake of Lisbon lasted for 15 minutes, it resulted in heavy loss of city buildings. The aftershocks of Lisbon earthquake continued for a year. The next earthquake of 1531 proved to be a disaster as 1,500 houses and nearly all the churches of Lisbon were completely ruined. In 1551, a shock destroyed 200 houses in Lisbon.

After a short lull the city again experienced earthquake in 1699, 1724 and 1750. Lisbon earthquake of 1755 is referred as the Great Lisbon Earthquake. Lisbon earthquake of 1755 was so devastating that the entire center of the Lisbon city was virtually demolished. The number of lives claimed by the earthquake is estimated between 60,000 to 100,000 and 12,000 houses were collapsed. The city of Lisbon was nearly ruined when the earthquake was followed by tsunami. The Epicenter of Lisbon Earthquake is estimated to be located in the Atlantic Ocean and the magnitude was estimated around 9 on the Richter scale.

Lisbon Earthquake was deadly as well as destructive in nature.