Great Earthquake in Chile 2010

The earthquake recorded in Chile on February 27, 2010 was one of the biggest earthquakes ever recorded, being read at an 8.8 magnitude. The largest earthquake ever recorded was just 50 years before this on May 22, 1960 off the South Central Coast of Chile. The 1960’s earthquake’s magnitude was 9.5, and it generated one of the deadliest and largest tsunamis ever.

Earthquakes over a magnitud e of 8 are extremely rare, only occurring about once or twice in a ten year span. So why did two large earthquakes occur in about the same spot within 50 years? Chile is prone to earthquakes because the country sits on the edge of the Pacific and South American tectonic plates. When these two plates move, it causes an earthquake. Since Chile sits right on the edge of where they meet, Chileans see many high magnitude earthquakes within their lifetime. Normally, there is at least one with a magnitude above 7 every five years.

But thanks to the 1960 earthquake Chile was more prepared for the earthquake that hit in 2010. While the 2010 earthquake was a great earthquake, the buildings and structures in Chile were built to withhold shakes and trembles of an earthquake. This made the disaster and devastation of the earthquake so much less. The death toll for the 2010 earthquake in Chile was less than one thousand, while the death toll from the 1960 earthquake was almost two thousand, but leaving nearly two million people homeless.

A new seismic design code was put into place in Chile about twenty years before the 2010 great earthquake. The columns of buildings are now reinforced with concrete, while the beams are weaker. This system is what allowed the death toll to be under 1,000 in 2010 when the 8.8 magnitude earthquake hit Chile.

Even though Chile has better prepared their buildings for earthquakes, the people were not as prepared as they should have been. An estimated amount of two million people are being affected by this earthquake, and relief efforts are overwhelmed. Electricity and water could not reach many areas in Chile, and despite the country’s efforts of educating their citizens what to do after a major earthquake, many people are going without food and water.

The Chilean government worked well under the pressure though. Relief efforts were out searching for injured and affected Chileans and they recovered and saved many lives. The government even reinforced curfews to ensure safety and prevent looting. Anyone who was out past nine or up before six was arrested. The country set up for a fast recovery, and a few months later everyone was back to their everyday life.