Stuff You Missed in History Class Great Lisbon Earthquake of 1755
Feb 18, 2026
A vivid account of the November 1755 quake that shook Lisbon, spawned a massive tsunami, and rattled coastlines from Portugal to Morocco. They trace the chaotic aftermath: fires, mass burials, and conflicting death counts. The story follows dramatic government action, the Pombaline earthquake‑resistant rebuilding, and how the disaster stirred Enlightenment debates about faith, science, and state power.
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Moroccan Sites Still Recall Lisbon Quake
- Holly and Tracy recount hearing Moroccan guides attribute local damage to the Lisbon earthquake during a Morocco trip.
- The quake's impact stretched across Portugal and into Morocco, leaving physical traces still visible centuries later.
Complex Epicenter And Massive Magnitude
- The 1755 quake likely originated on the complex Africa‑Eurasia plate boundary 200–300 km SW of Lisbon and lasted 15–20 minutes with multiple shocks.
- Modern estimates place its magnitude between about 8.5 and 9, making it one of Europe's most powerful quakes.
Tsunami Reached Across Oceans
- The earthquake spawned a tsunami that devastated coasts from Morocco and Spain to Portugal and islands far west of Africa.
- Waves reached heights around 20 meters in places and were recorded as far away as Newfoundland and Brazil.
