On April 2, 1582, Ancuancu (in present-day La Paz Department, Bolivia) was struck by an

earthquake An earthquake (also known as a quake, tremor or temblor) is the shaking of the surface of the Earth resulting from a sudden release of energy in the Earth's lithosphere that creates seismic waves. Earthquakes can range in intensity, fr ...

, that reportedly buried all of the inhabitants except for one chief who reportedly lost the ability to speak. In the place where the village had stood, the Jacha Kalla (

Achocalla Achocalla (Hispanicized spelling) or Achuqalla (Aymara for weasel) is a location in the La Paz Department in Bolivia. It is the seat of the Achocalla Municipality, the third municipal section of the Pedro Domingo Murillo Province. Climate T ...

) valley was formed as a result of the earthquake.

References

Earthquakes in South America Natural disasters in Bolivia Ancuancu 1582 in South America 16th century in Bolivia {{Bolivia-hist-stub