1877 Iquique earthquake
 Iquique
Santiago
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| Date | May 9, 1877 |
|---|---|
| Magnitude | 8.5 MS, 9 M? |
| Epicenter | 19°36′S 70°12′W / 19.6°S 70.2°WCoordinates: 19°36′S 70°12′W / 19.6°S 70.2°W |
| Areas affected | Peru, Tarapacá Region and Bolivia, Antofagasta Region (both now part of Chile) |
| Tsunami | Yes |
| Casualties | 2,541 |
The 1877 Iquique earthquake occurred at 21:16 local time on 9 May (0:59 on 10 May UTC). It had a magnitude of 8.5 on the surface wave magnitude scale. Other estimates of its magnitude have been as high as 9.0. It had a maximum intensity of XI (Extreme) on the Mercalli intensity scale and triggered a devastating tsunami. A total of 2,541 people died, mainly in Peru and what is now northernmost Chile, with some deaths also reported from Hawaii and Japan.
Affected areas in what is now the Antofagasta region of Chile had during this period been subject to the Atacama border dispute between Bolivia and Chile. Under the 1874 boundary treaty between Bolivia and Chile, the border between the two nations as of 1877 followed the 24th parallel south. The terms of that treaty required that Bolivia not levy taxes on Chilean companies mining nitrates between the 23rd and 24th parallels (including the city of Antofagasta) for 25 years, except for agreed duties to be shared between the two countries.
Following extensive damage in the 1877 earthquake and tsunami, the municipal authorities in Antofagasta voted for a tax of 10 centavos per quintal (approximately 46 kg or 101 lb) of nitrates exported to fund reconstruction of the town. The Chilean Antofagasta Nitrate & Railway Company, a major nitrate mining company in the region, refused to pay, backed by the Chilean government. This dispute resulted in the War of the Pacific, fought from 1879–84, by which Chile gained control of territory as far north as Tacna, including Bolivia's entire coastline.
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