Table of Contents
What was the impact of the Lisbon earthquake?
This disaster left an estimated 40 000 to 50 000 people dead and caused severe economic damages that economists now speculate amounted to between 32% and 48% of Portugal’s gross domestic product (GDP). The city of Lisbon was essentially destroyed.
Why was the Lisbon quake of 1755 important?
The earthquake accentuated political tensions in Portugal and profoundly disrupted the country’s colonial ambitions. The event was widely discussed and dwelt upon by European Enlightenment philosophers, and inspired major developments in theodicy.
Is Lisbon at risk of earthquake?
Thus the return period of magnitude 6 to 7 earthquakes along the LTV could be as short as 150 to 200 years, making Lisbon the highest risk area in Portugal.
When was Lisbon destroyed?
1755
A devastating earthquake hits Lisbon, Portugal, killing as many as 50,000 people, on November 1, 1755. The city was virtually rebuilt from scratch following the widespread destruction.
How did the Lisbon earthquake happen?
Modern research indicates that the main seismic source was faulting of the seafloor along the tectonic plate boundaries of the mid-Atlantic. The earthquake generated a tsunami that produced waves about 20 feet (6 metres) high at Lisbon and 65 feet (20 metres) high at Cádiz, Spain.
How was Lisbon rebuilt?
Lisbon suffered fires and tsunamis, but no epidemics and the rebuilding began immediately under Pombal’s guidance. He designed the central area of Lisbon to be earthquake resistant. He directed architectural models to be built for testing and simulated the effects of an earthquake by marching troops around the models.
How did the church explain the Lisbon earthquake?
The Lisbon Earthquake was something of a watershed for theological reflection in Christian Europe. Some Christians suggested that the disaster was the retribution of a righteous God against the sinfulness of Lisbon, but it is hard to see how Lisbon was qualitatively more sinful than other areas of Europe at the time.
Do earthquakes happen in Portugal?
According to historical records, most of the earthquakes affecting Portugal (mainland) have epicentre SW of the Iberian Peninsula (Gorringe bank) or in the Lower Tagus Valley. The most vulnerable areas are the Lisbon urban area and Algarve south. Major earthquakes: occoured in 1531, 1755, 1909 and 1969.
Is Portugal at risk of tsunami?
In the area you have selected (Portugal) tsunami hazard is classified as medium according to the information that is currently available. This means that there is more than a 10% chance of a potentially-damaging tsunami occurring in the next 50 years.
Who rebuilt Lisbon?
Sebastiao de Carvalho e Melo, Marquis of Pombal is remembered in Portugal for his Enlightenment reforms, architectural innovations, and his rebuilding of Lisbon after the 1755 earthquake.