What tectonic plates caused the 2010 Chile earthquake?
Chile Earthuake 27 Febraruy 2010. The earthquake occurred on the boundary between the South American and Nazca tectonic plates that runs down the west coast of Chile and has also resulted in the formation of the Andes.
What plates caused the great Chilean earthquake?
Chile is located on the South American Tectonic Plate, directly to the west is the Nazca Plate. The South American Plate and the Nazca Plate moved in a quick motion which caused the massive earthquake.
Why did the February 2010 earthquake occur in Chile?
This earthquake was characterized by a thrust-faulting focal mechanism, caused by the subduction of the Nazca plate beneath the South American Tectonic Plates. The end-regions of the rupture zone coincided with the Andean oroclines of Maipo (33° S) and Arauco (37° S).
How did the Chile earthquake affect the economy?
By most standards, the Maule earthquake was a catastrophe for Chile. The economic losses totaled $30 billion USD or 17% of the GDP of the country. Only five engineer-designed buildings were destroyed during the earthquake; however, over 350,000 housing units were destroyed.
When did the earthquake in Chile happen in 2010?
Chile Earthquakes 27 February 2010. Tectonic Summary. The earthquake occurred on the boundary between the South American and Nazca tectonic plates that runs down the west coast of Chile and has also resulted in the formation of the Andes.
Why was the Chilean earthquake a plate tectonics event?
The Chilean Earthquake: The plate tectonics. 0. Physics Today: Chile is a highly seismic area because of its proximity to the stressed Nazca and South American tectonic plates which are converging at a rate of 80 mm per year, one of the fastest rates on Earth.
How often does an earthquake happen in Chile?
Chile is at a high risk of earthquakes because it lies on the boundary between the Pacific and South American tectonic plates. According to seismologists, there is usually about one quake of magnitude eight or more a year, and one reaching 8.8 would be expected only every few years.
Why is Chile considered to be a seismic area?
Physics Today: Chile is a highly seismic area because of its proximity to the stressed Nazca and South American tectonic plates which are converging at a rate of 80 mm per year, one of the fastest rates on Earth.