Sayano-Shushenskaya Dam accident
The Sayano-Shushenskaya Dam is the largest power plant in Russia and the 12th-largest hydroelectric plant in the world, by average power generation. On 17 August 2009 at 8:13 AM, the hydro-electric plant suffered a catastrophic accident that caused flooding of the engine and turbine rooms, and two 711 MVA electric generators to explode underwater as a result of a short circuit. As of 10 September 2009, 75 people, including 1 pregnant woman, were confirmed dead, while one person was still listed as missing forty days after the disaster.
Federal District Metro (Brazil) opened
The Federal District Metro is the rapid transit system of the Federal District, in Brazil. Currently, Federal District's Metro has 24 stations on two lines, and it runs for 42.38 kilometers (26.33 mi).
1976 Moro Gulf earthquake
The 1976 Moro Gulf earthquake and tsunami took place on August 17, 1976, at 00:11 local time near the islands of Mindanao and Sulu, in the Philippines. Its magnitude was calculated as being as high as 8.0 on the moment magnitude scale. It was the deadliest and strongest earthquake in the Philippines in 58 years since the 1918 Celebes Sea earthquake.
1959 Hebgen Lake earthquake
The 1959 Hebgen Lake earthquake occurred in the western United States on August 17 at 11:37 pm (MST) in southwestern Montana. The earthquake measured 7.2 on the moment magnitude scale, caused a huge landslide, resulted in over 28 fatalities and left $11 million (equivalent to $110 million in 2022) in damage. The slide blocked the flow of the Madison River, resulting in the creation of Quake Lake. Significant effects of the earthquake were also felt in nearby Idaho and Wyoming, and lesser effects as far away as Puerto Rico and Hawaii.
Leslie Groves was born
Leslie Groves was a United States Army Corps of Engineers officer who oversaw the construction of the Pentagon and directed the Manhattan Project, a top secret research project that developed the atomic bomb during World War II.
1668 North Anatolia earthquake
The 1668 North Anatolia earthquake had an estimated magnitude in the range 7.8-8.0 Ms and the maximum felt intensity was IX on the Modified Mercalli intensity scale. The epicenter of the earthquake was on the southern shore of Ladik Lake. It caused widespread damage from as far west as Bolu and as far east as Erzincan, resulting in about 8,000 deaths. It remains the most powerful earthquake recorded in Turkey.
