jfid – Chile, a country located in the Pacific Ring of Fire, often experiences powerful and destructive earthquakes. In 2010, an 8.8 magnitude earthquake rocked the country, claiming over 500 lives.
In 2015, another 8.3 magnitude earthquake struck, triggering a tsunami. Recently, on Saturday, February 3, 2024, Chile experienced multiple earthquakes of varying magnitudes and depths.
According to reports from the National Seismological Center (Centro Sismológico Nacional or CSN), the country witnessed at least four earthquakes on Saturday.
The first earthquake occurred at 01:23 local time, with a magnitude of 3.6 and a depth of 192 km, in Socaire, a village in the Andes region.
The second earthquake took place at 06:10 local time, with a magnitude of 3.3 and a depth of 64 km, in Andacollo, a town in the Coquimbo region.
The third earthquake struck at 09:27 local time, with a magnitude of 3.1 and a depth of 35 km, in La Caldera, a town in the Atacama region.
The fourth earthquake occurred at 10:14 local time, with a magnitude of 3.0 and a depth of 33 km, in Valparaíso, a port city known for its colonial architecture.
Although these earthquakes did not cause significant damage or casualties, they raised concerns and fears among the Chilean population.
Many are questioning whether the Earth is angry, signaling the possibility of larger and more devastating earthquakes. Is Chile prepared to face unforeseen natural disasters?
In reality, earthquakes are a normal natural phenomenon in Chile due to its location in the subduction zone, where the Nazca and South American tectonic plates converge. When the Nazca plate subducts beneath the South American plate, friction and pressure occur, leading to earthquakes. Chilean earthquakes typically have high magnitudes and low depths, posing a potential tsunami risk.
However, the earthquakes on Saturday exhibited different characteristics. They had low magnitudes and high depths, making them non-threatening to the population.
These earthquakes are referred to as intraplate earthquakes, occurring within a tectonic plate rather than at plate boundaries. Intraplate earthquakes are usually caused by deformation or faults within the plate, triggered by tectonic or thermal forces.
While intraplate earthquakes are rare, they are not impossible. According to research by scientists from the University of Chile, intraplate earthquakes in Chile occur approximately 10 times a year, with an average magnitude of 3.5.
The largest intraplate earthquake in Chile occurred in 2007, with a magnitude of 6.2 and a depth of 111 km in Aysén, a region in Patagonia.
So, are Saturday’s earthquakes a sign of Earth’s anger? Certainly not. Earthquakes are natural processes that cannot be predicted or controlled by humans. They are evidence that the Earth is a living and dynamic planet, constantly changing and evolving. Earthquakes are the Earth’s way of releasing accumulated energy.
However, this does not mean we should be indifferent or neglectful towards earthquakes. We must remain vigilant and prepared because we never know when a large and dangerous earthquake might occur.
We should follow protocols and recommendations provided by authorities such as CSN, Onemi, and Sernageomin. We should have an emergency backpack containing essential items needed during a crisis, such as water, food, medications, flashlight, radio, and more.
We must be aware of safe zones and evacuation routes in our homes or workplaces and maintain communication and solidarity with family, neighbors, and the community.
