The 2010 Chile Earthquake: a five-year reflection
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Date
2015
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Australian Earthquake Engineering Society
Abstract
At 3:34AM local time, on February 27th, 2010, a moment magnitude Mw 8.8 megathrust earthquake struck offshore the coast of Chile. The earthquake ruptured a 540 by 200 km mature seismic gap of the underlying subduction pacific plate interlocking mechanism. More than 75% of the 16 million Chileans spread over several large urban areas in the center-south of the country were affected by the earthquake, which caused 521 fatalities with 124 of them due to the tsunami, and an overall damage estimate of USD 30 billion. Because the earthquake struck the most densely populated area of the country, it represents a very unique opportunity to reflect on its ubiquitous impact over many different physical and social systems. The reflection contained in this article occurs five years later, once reconstruction and recovery are complete from this longitudinal wound of the country. Seismic codes have changed, research on the supposedly indestructible reinforced concrete shear walls has been done, new seismic protection technologies have been incorporated, and whole new seismic standards have been adopted by communities and people. The price it took was quite high, but we can confidently say that Chile is better prepared today for the next large earthquake.