Today in History

October 18, 1356

The Basel Earthquake

On this day in 1356, one of the most devastating earthquakes ever to hit northern Europe struck the small Swiss town of Basel, situated at the southern end of the Upper Rhine Graben. Basel was nearly completely destroyed with over 300 people dead. Those wooden houses that were not destroyed by the earthquake were burned by subsequent fires caused by candles and other lights tossed about in the debris and aftershocks. Most of the major stone buildings such as churches and government buildings were likewise destroyed. Aftershocks continued for almost a year.

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