Limits RegistryPUBLIC RECORD
Limits RegistryThe 1960 Valdivia earthquake in Chile is rated Mw 9.5, the largest instrumentally recorded earthquake.
The question, scope, and sources behind this Registry record.
The 1960 Valdivia earthquake in Chile is rated Mw 9.5, the largest instrumentally recorded earthquake.
Track the largest earthquake magnitude assigned by a modern seismic moment catalog.
Moment magnitude measures seismic moment on a logarithmic scale and is not interchangeable with local magnitude. The record is tied to the modern instrumental catalog and its source inversion methods.
Earthquake Hazards Program — Largest instrumentally recorded earthquake magnitudeChange a parameter to stress-test whether a proposed result is still inside the published specification. This is an audit aid, not a proof checker.
Current frontiers derived from accepted Claims.
An observed or demonstrated result; no opposing bound is implied.
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The frontier as it changed over time.
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Permanent ID limitsregistry.com/limits/LR-004211
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Limits Registry. LR-004211. Largest instrumentally recorded earthquake magnitude. 2026.