The great Peruvian earthquake in May 1970 took place off the north coast of Peru. It measured an impressive 7.9 on the Richter scale and was the deadliest seismic disaster in Latin American history. The quake had a catastrophic impact on the Ancash and La Libertad regions with serious damage caused over an area of some 35,000 sq km (13,500 sq mi).
The coastal city of Chimbote was hard hit, countless other towns and villages were devastated and virtually everything in the Andean valley of Callejon de Huaylas was obliterated. There was massive infrastructure damage and 3,000,000 people were affected.
The most severe single consequence was the world’s worst-ever snow-and-rock slide – the Nevados Huascaran avalanche. The quake destabilized a section of Mount Huascaran 1.5 km (1 mi) long by 900 m (3,000 ft) wide and 900 m (3,000 ft) deep.
This huge mass of rock and glacial ice detached and thundered down the mountain, reaching a speed of 160 kph (100 mph) and destroying everything as it gathered momentum.
The provincial capital of Yungay was in its path and didn’t stand a chance. Neither did the smaller town of Ranrahirea. Both were obliterated and buried 50 m (165 ft) beneath debris left by the avalanche. Just 400 of Yungay’s population of 18,500 survived, wlule in Ranrahirea nearly 2,000 were killed.
It was two days before the scale of the disaster became apparent to outsiders, leaving survivors to claw at heaped rubble with bare hands.
When rescuers finally arrived with heavy equipment and medical supplies, it was too late for those who had been buried alive and for many survivors, who had already succumbed to injuries. The Peruvian government has classified the site of Yungay as a mass grave where all excavation is forbidden.
When: May 31 1970
Where: Mount Huascaran, Yungay Province, Peru
Death toll: Estimated at 20,000 (from a total of up to 80,000 killed by the earthquake as a whole)
You should know: The only foreign victims of the avalanche were Czechoslovakian climbers whose mountaineering team was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Their bodies were never found.
20 thoughts on “Nevados Huascaran Avalanche – 1970”
How much did this avalanche and earth quake cost?
one million
$250 million
Yeah, What is the Total cost?
Many children were lifted by air by the USRR to never seen again
Why?
a lot of money
did the avalanche smell stinky
kill yourself jim
wow u are “smart”
yeah i am dumb loser
what was the economic impact?
who knows who cares
stop dissing people!
probably someone trying to read this article for a school assignment or just for the historical factor, dumb ass
wow, you’re just rudeness incarnate aren’t you.
One post mentions that the only foreign fatalities were the climbers. There were also two US Peace Corp young women who were killed.
It’s really hard to believe that was 50 years ago. There were some really wonderful people affected by that disaster. I remember a family who had a general store in Anta who helped us distribute the food and other supplies that we had dropped in before we finished the Landing Zone there at Anta. I’ll always remember the 16 days I spent there.
Hi there,
I am a college student that is researching thins event and was wondering if you would be intrested in telling me more about what you saw while you where there? If you could give me more details on anything that you where apart of. I would greatly appricate it.
dis be helpful noice
how many towns were hit by the Huascaran Avalanche and what was there names?
Very well narrated and a true story for the history of Peru and the most disastrous event in the world to this date. Thank you for this extraordinary news.