1522 Vila Franca earthquake

The 1522 Vila Franca earthquake, also known as the 1522 Vila Franca landslide refers to the earthquake and landslides that occurred on October 21–22, 1522, in the municipality of Vila Franca do Campo. Vila Franco do Campo was then the provincial capital and is located on São Miguel Island in the Portuguese archipelago of the Azores.

The epicenter of the earthquake was situated several kilometers north-northwest of Vila Franca and contained a maximum intensity of X on the European macroseismic scale. They caused landslides and lahars that moved 6,750,000 cubic metres of material down the surrounding slopes, destroying buildings. The movement of debris into the settlement caused the deaths of 3,000 to 5,000 people. In addition to the destruction of Vila Franca, the earthquake affected the neighboring settlements of Ponta Garça, Maia and Porto Formoso where thousands died as well. A tsunami formed by the lahar destroyed several boats that were located near the islet of Vila Franca and the deaths of almost a hundred people. Gaspar Frutuoso, writing 70 years following the destruction, provided a complete record of these events, called "Romance de Vila Franca."

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