Human consequences
In Yungay only a few hundred people survive, including those who took refuge on the cemetery hill.
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EarthquakeÁncash earthquake
70,000Deaths
Not quantifiedDisplaced / homeless
Not quantifiedEstimated cost
- Between 66,000 and 70,000 deaths: the worst natural disaster in Peru’s history.
An offshore magnitude 7.9 earthquake destabilises the north face of Huascarán. An avalanche of rock and ice rushes down the mountain and buries almost the entire town of Yungay.
Consequences
Environmental consequences
The avalanche, estimated at tens of millions of m³, races down the slope at more than 250 km/h.
Economic consequences
The Callejón de Huaylas valley is devastated.
Political consequences
Peru creates its national civil defence institute in 1972.
Further reading
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In the rankings : The deadliest earthquakes in history No. 10
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