Ecuador-Colombia Earthquake (1906)

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The 1906 Ecuador-Colombia earthquake occurred on January 31, 1906, with a moment magnitude of 8.8. It triggered a destructive tsunami that affected several countries, including Colombia, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Panama, Mexico, California, and Japan. The epicenter was located off the coast of Ecuador near Esmeraldas. The earthquake was a megathrust event resulting from the subduction of the Nazca and Malpelo plates beneath the North Andes plate. The tsunami caused significant damage and loss of life, with estimates suggesting between 500 and 1,500 casualties. The maximum run-up height was recorded at 5 meters in Tumaco, Colombia. The earthquake ruptured a 500-600 km segment of the plate boundary, which has been prone to subsequent major earthquakes in 1942, 1958, 1979, and 2016. This event remains one of the most destructive in the region's history.