The Chile earthquake (also called the Maule earthquake), which took place in 2010, occurred due to a build-up of water pressure between tectonic plates.This caused an earthquake and a tsunami and greatly affected regions of Chile, which suffered a great loss in the aftermath. The earthquake occurred in Chile on February 27. It was Saturday, and it was around 3:34 am local time when it hit.The earthquake hit around six Chilean regions, which, if counted, is about 80% of the population of the country in total. The United States Geological Survey mentioned that the cities that experienced the strongest shaking, at grade VIII (Destructive) on the Mercalli intensity scale (MM), were Arauco and Coronel. The earthquake occurred off of the coast of Chie and had a magnitude of 8.8. After the earthquake, a tsunami was also set off in the same area, which damaged several parts of the coastal towns in Chile (south-central) and caused destruction in the Talcahuano Port. The tsunami traveled a very long distance along the ocean floor. It took around 15 hours to reach Hawaii. This was the largest earthquake that was ever recorded.If you wish to read more interesting factual content, you can also visit our articles on the 1994 Northridge earthquake and the 2011 Japan earthquake.Reasons For EarthquakeThere was a major reason behind the earthquake that occurred in Chile on February 27. It hit the coastal regions badly and was caused by a straightforward dip of the Nazca Plate and the South American plate. It was caused due to a megathrust earthquake. In this process, subduction occurs at the convergent boundaries, and the movement of tectonic plates is also seen after one plate moves under another. It was a major earthquake causing a tsunami that hit Chile, leaving the country in a bad condition.When the tsunami hit the country, there was a wave that measured 7.7 ft (2.35 m), which struck at the coastal town of Talcahuano and its surrounding areas, causing significant damage along with parts of coastal Chile and the Juan Fernández Islands. The earthquake and tsunami both occurred almost at the same time and caused huge destruction. This earthquake was known as the Chilean quake and was one of the most powerful earthquakes on record. This initial event would be remembered by all as this was one of the strongest earthquakes that had been caused in the region. All the satellite images of the event were captured and kept by several organizations, mainly UNOSAT.Seismology And GeologyThere was an unusual geologic and seismologic shaking at the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, and therefore, the earthquake and tsunami took place at around the same time. This was an initial earthquake that was caused after 100 aftershocks measuring a magnitude of 5.0 or greater and a tsunami. The USGS verified that the earthquake’s epicenter was situated on the ground at the Tirúa coastal town in the region of Araucanía.It was later measured on the magnitude scale, and the scale showed 8.8. It left the entire city in shock. Even the Chilean capital Santiago was destroyed, and the Chilean earthquake was also felt in some of the Argentinean cities. There were tsunami warnings issued by 53 countries because the tsunami was totally unexpected but happened at the same time and hit the coastal towns as well. The Chilean earthquake was the largest and strong earthquake after the Indian Ocean earthquake that occurred in 2004. The country’s population went to several locations for some time after the earthquake in Chile caused huge losses and major damage to the people living there. A video was shot in the locality of Tirúa, south of Concepción, which recorded a 70.86 in (180 cm) uplift that was relative to sea level. This showed the result of the earthquake of 2010 in Chile. Nearly one-third of the major earthquakes happen in Chile.Conditions In The AftermathThe condition of the country was very bad after the earthquake occurred, as there was a huge loss caused by the earthquake and tsunami because it was so big when measured on the magnitude scale. Further information was provided by humanitarian assistance. The officials of Chile’s navy had given a warning in southern Chile about a tsunami that might occur, which was also reported via their local radio. The earthquake in Chile was also felt in southern Peru, Bolivia, and Buenos Aires, from which we can understand how far it went. It destroyed the livelihood of the country’s population.The 2010 Chile earthquake lasted up to 30 seconds and was the fifth strongest earthquake recorded to date. The main cause of the earthquake was the two plates that were in convergence at the South American plate and Nazca plate. When the two plates hit each other, it resulted in a megathrust earthquake. Major damage was caused to infrastructures and buildings, gas services, water, and electricity in the affected areas, particularly in the capital city. Maps were also required to fix the structural damage and calculate the number of people killed. Approximately 525 people died due to the earthquake.Comparison With Past EarthquakesIf we compare the Chilean earthquake that occurred in 2010 with the Haitian earthquake, then Chile is the one that has suffered from several earthquakes in the past year because of the convergence of two plates at the epicenter at sea level. All the earthquakes were so bad that they destroyed many things and left the country’s population in a miserable position.The Haitian earthquake caused less shaking than the Chilean earthquake because the people felt a severe shaking at that moment. This earthquake was around 300-500 times more powerful than the Haiti earthquake. Because of Chile having earthquake building codes, there were still many people whose lives were saved as there were many buildings that fell and were badly destroyed. Rescue teams were called out to save people who were caught under the buildings and infrastructure that fell down, but they were also facing difficulty in accessing some areas. An intense shaking was felt by those people who were working at those buildings and offices built in those large infrastructures.Tsunami-Related Aid GivenAid was given during the time when the tsunami occurred. Rescue teams were called who were present at that time to save the lives of people and help them escape from that particular location. People were said to leave the area and country for some while till the maintenance of the destroyed property had been carried out. The use of disaster relief emergency funds was accepted and allowed by The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) because this was sought by the Chilean Red Cross.Curfews were implemented in catastrophe zones and some other parts of the country because of public disorder and looting that took place. There was looting caused in some areas because of the chaotic conditions caused at that time. Mismanagement was going on as well. The Maule region itself faced around 85 deaths, which were addressed by the president of Chile, Michelle Bachelet. It was at the quake’s epicenter, which was becoming increasingly volatile.Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our 2010 Chile earthquake facts, then why not take a look at our 2010 Haiti earthquake facts or 1989 san Francisco earthquake facts?
The Chile earthquake (also called the Maule earthquake), which took place in 2010, occurred due to a build-up of water pressure between tectonic plates.
