21 February 1996, Mw 7.8, Peru

A large earthquake(magnitude 7.8) off thenorthern coastal region ofPeru generated a localtsunami. The tsunamiaffected a 590 km coastalarea extending fromPascasmayo, in thedepartment of La Libertad, tothe Port of Callao near Lima.The tsunami killed 12,injured 54 (one gravely),damaged 37 homes (15completely destroyed) and25 boats (2 destroyed).Some of the fatalities were toline fishermen who werecaught on the rocks by thetsunamis. Additionalfatalities occurred in the areaof Santa, north of Coishcoand at the beach of CampoSanta. In the town ofCoishco a 30-meter longbrick wall was destroyed andseveral houses weredamaged by the waves. Atthe Port of Chimbote thetsunami inundated 800 mlandward of the main dock,overturned a truck and transported a steel guard shack for a distance of 20 m. No major damage wasreported. There was flooding at Bahia Los Chimus, about 30 Km south of Chimbote all the way tothe town's plaza.