2. Chile Earthquake 2010 2
Chile Earthquake 2010
Summary
The Chile Earthquake 2010 was initiated by the two tectonic plates that are the Nazca
plate of the east and the South American plate that conveys downwards. They converge seven
meters per century (Earthquake Summary, 2010). The earthquake affected the Maule region of
Chile where more than 500 were left dead and 2 million displaced. The magnitude was 8.8 and it
occurred at 03:34 local time (06:34:14 UTC) on the 27th February 2010. The quake lasted at least
90 seconds. It later triggered a pacific tsunami that was felt as far as Santa Barbara, American at
a sea level scale of 91 centimeters.
Introduction
Nature is unforgiving its actions are unpredictable and sometimes disastrous (Erdman,
2010). Chile can bear witness to a disastrous natural accident in form of an earthquake that left
devastating aftermath effects.
Problems
The trail of destruction that was left by the earthquake were immense and devastating,
with more that 500 dead, more that 2 million displaced and millions of property destroyed the
country was in a lot of problems to come to terms with the catastrophe (Grant, 2010). The major
problem was that it occurred without notice and many were caught unaware thus many were still
trapped in buildings rambles. There were also problems of people looting in the affected areas
where people struggled to scoop whatever that had been left after the quake. Prison escapes were
also experienced in areas such as the El Manzano in Concepcion. Riots erupted after inmates
attempted to escape (Grant, 2010).
3. Chile Earthquake 2010 3
There were approximately 370,000 houses, 79 hospital, 4,013 schools and 4,200 boats
were destroyed or completely damaged in the initial quake and the consequent tsunami
(Barrionuevo, & Robbins, 2010). A great economical loss was witnessed that estimated at US $
30 billion. There were interruptions and effects on very vital services such as electricity, water
supply, and telecommunication (Grant, 2010). Transport systems were also affected with road
bridges collapsing and fallen buildings blocking the roads in the Valparaiso- Concepcion -
Temuco area; in the Araucania, Bio-Bio, Maule, O'Higgins, Region Metropolitana and
Valparaiso area alone more than 1.8 million persons were affected (Earthquake Summary, 2010).
The effects on the interruption of crucial services such as electricity, clean water services,
and telecommunications was a major problem in that it slowed down rescue operations and even
at times made it impossible to access other regions leaving no choice to rescue operations.
History/background
The large plate boundary earthquakes between ValparaÃso and Concepción have
historically been seen as a possible cause of earthquakes that even occurred in history (Fountain,
2010). The 1562 shock and a tsunami eight years later can be examples of the historic hazardous
nature of the plates. Other earthquakes in the area linked to the plates include the 1730
earthquake, the great Concepción quake of 1751 and 1835 are just examples of its potential.
The great tsunami of Hawaii of 1906 that rose to heights of 3.5 m was also linked to the plates
(Fountain, 2010).
Chile has also seen the wrath of the plates with the 1960 quake claiming more than 1600
lives, the 1985 quake of magnitude 8.5, and the 1922 quake being among the effects. The plates
also triggered quakes and subsequent tsunamis in the years 1586, 1687, 1868, and 1877.
4. Chile Earthquake 2010 4
According to USGS there have been an overall of 13 earthquakes along the Chilean coast of
magnitude 7.0 or greater since 1973 (Fountain, 2010).
Main event
The Chile Earthquake 2010 took place on the 27th February 2010 off the coast of the
Chilean Maule Region at 03:34 local time (06:34:14 UTC). The quake lasted for almost 90
seconds and had a magnitude of 8.8 on the scale of the moment magnitude; this was way above
that which had occurred in Haiti weeks ahead that reached the 70 (Earthquake Summary, 2010).
Scale intensity. It shook through from the north i.e. Valparaiso to the south in the region of
Araucania where approximately 80% of the population lives. Arauco and Coronel cities
experience the strongest effects that were IX on the Mercalli intensity scale; this effect was also
experience in the capital city Santiago that was at a destructive scale of VIII in the Mercalli
intensity scale (Earthquake Summary, 2010).
The quakes were also felt in the neighboring countries of Argentina where cities such as
Córdoba, Buenos Aires, La Rioja, and Mendoza; and Peru as far as the city of Ica (Earthquake
Summary, 2010). In addition the country was hit by a blackout that lasted for several days and
affected a huge proportion of the population. The quaked killed more than 800 persons and left
more than 2 million displaced. This was declared a state of catastrophe and forces were sent to
assist in rescue operations and distribution of relief items (Earthquake Summary, 2010).
The quake also set off a tsunami that greatly affected the coastal towns of the southern
Chile and also left the port of Talcahuano in ruins; the tsunami alarm was sounded in 53
countries where the coasts of San Diego in California and Tohoku in Japan were affected. This
led to losses approximated at $66.7 million (Earthquake Summary, 2010). The tsunami had
waves that reached centimeters (above sea level) in height that were recorded in different areas
5. Chile Earthquake 2010 5
such as 71 at Pago Pago, 91 at Santa Barbara, American Samoa; 64 at Crescent City, 26 at
Honolulu, Hawaii; 22 at Winter Harbour, Canada; 60 at La Jolla, 261 at Valparaiso, and 46 at
Point Reyes, California; 181 at Talcahuano, 86 at Kahului, 164 at Coquimbo, 51 at
Kawaihae,144 at Corral, 40 at Nawiliwili, 118 at Arica, 90 at Caldera, 79 at San Felix, 32 at Port
Orford, and 68 at Iquique, 47 at Antofagasta among other areas (Earthquake Summary, 2010).
The quakes epicenter was at 35.909°S, 72.733°W in bearing which is located at the
Maule region. 100 km north-northeast of Concepción; Chile's second largest city; and 11 km
southwest of Curanipe. The quake spread as far as 7500 km from the main source where it
started and the effects were also felt even in New Orleans at Lake Pontchartrain (Earthquake
Summary, 2010).
The earthquake occurred between two tectonic plates i.e. Nazca and the South American
at the convergence of a 8mm rate annually. It was due to a thrust faulting focal mechanism that
was initiated by the Nazca plate subducting beneath the South American plate. Past earthquakes
that had affected Chile before the 27th February 2010 was at Valdivia in 1960 and occurred at a
magnitude of 9.5 at the richer scale (Earthquake Summary, 2010).
The initial quake had a number of serial after shocks that occurred either in Chile or other
countries. The earthquake also had three aftershocks that ripped after the initial quake the first
aftershock struck after 20 minutes with a magnitude of 6.2 while the other two struck within the
same hour and were of 5.4 and 5.6 in magnitude respectively. A fourth aftershock ripped through
the offshore 300 km southwest with a magnitude of 6.9 where it was approximately 90 minutes
after the original quake.
Another serial aftershock occurred at 15:45 UTC in Salta Argentina with a 6.3 magnitude
and a 38.2 km depth on the 27th February 2010. This last aftershock left one dead and dozens
6. Chile Earthquake 2010 6
injured. The aftershocks also continued with others occurring on March 5, 11, 15, and 17 as
serial to the original quake and with different magnitude and scale. According to Oxfam
international, 2010 there were a further 200 and above aftershocks that had magnitudes of 5.0
and above that were triggered by the 2010 earthquake (Earthquake Summary, 2010).
Mitigation – preparedness – response – recovery issues
Chile required relief in order to overcome the effects of the quake, a massive $ 165, 000
was required to help the country overcome the disaster. Though the Chilean government had
declined international support and relief it was in dire need of the support from other countries
and international donors (Franklin, & Gabbatt, 2010). Despite the government reluctance foreign
governments such as China, US, Argentina, Mexico and UK had sent messages of condolence
and pledge support to Chile.
The United Nation and the European Union responded in giving donations in form of
food relief and financial support. The military was deployed to rescue operations in the affected
regions to assist the persons that needed food and water supplies (Franklin, & Gabbatt, 2010).
The response was not immediate in view of the fact that the Chilean government took time to
assess the disaster and call for assistance. The Red Cross also responded and pledged $ 50,000
(Franklin, & Gabbatt, 2010). There were also other campaigns over the media to help rebuild
Chile after the earthquake where $ 58 million was raised to assist the affected families rebuild.
Conclusion
The 2010 quake occurred unannounced; this has been the case in almost all quakes where
there have been no mitigation measures put in place to prevent such disasters. World over the
response to natural disasters has not been timely especially in developing countries. This calls for
more adequate measures for response so as to save more people affected in the catastrophes.
7. Chile Earthquake 2010 7
Emergency response teams and measures to detect natural disaster using developed technology is
the way forward in the prevention of deaths from natural disasters. The governments also have a
part to play in ensuring the people are adequately provided with relief aid and the necessary
support so that they are able to build their lives once more.
8. Chile Earthquake 2010 8
Reference
Barrionuevo A. & Robbins, L. (2010).1.5 Million Displaced After Chile Quake. The New York
Times. Retrieved November 28, 2010, from: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/28/world/
americas/28chile.html?_r=1
Earthquake Summary, (2010). Retrieved November 28, 2010, from:
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eqinthenews/2010/us2010tfan/#summary
Erdman, J. (February 27, 2010). "How strong & rare was quake?". The Weather Channel.
Retrieved November 28, 2010, from: http://www.weather.com/outlook/weather-
news/news/articles/0227-quake-perspective_2010-02-27
Fountain, H. (February 27, 2010). "Underwater Plate Cuts 400-Mile Gash". The New York
Times. Retrieved November 28, 2010, from: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/28/world/
americas/28quake.html
Franklin, J & Gabbatt, A. (March 1, 2010). "Chilean military takes control of quake-hit cities".
The Guardian (London). Retrieved November 28, 2010, from:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/mar/01/chile-military-earthquake-cities-looting
Grant, W. (March 5, 2010). "Lawlessness after quake in Chile fishing village". BBC. Retrieved
November 28, 2010, from: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8550960.stm
