Geology of Chile - Geological Hazards

Geological Hazards

Due to the tectonic setting of Chile earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and mass movements are frequent. The subduction zone along Chile's coast has produced the most powerful earthquake ever recorded, the 1960 Valdivia earthquake. Earthquakes are known to have triggered eruption at volcanoes as it happened in 1960 with Cordón Caulle. Earthquakes have also produced tsunamis and even earthquakes on the other side of the Pacific Ocean have the potential of sending a tsuname wave to Chile.

Landslides may occur with some frequency in Andes of central and southern Chile, most events happens following earthquakes. The 2007 Aysen Fjord earthquake produced several landslides along the fjords mountains producing thus big tsunami-like waves inside the fjord.

Mud flows are also common in some places and occur after large rainfall events. Lahars have been are among the most lethal volcanic hazards in Chile, destroying towns such as Coñaripe in 1964. Although many lahars are triggered by volcanic eruptions they are often mistaken as unequivocal sign of eruption, which is not the case.