Why is Chile a hotspot for earthquakes?

Chile is a hotspot for earthquakes because the Nazca plate, a tectonic plate which moves eastwards with a rate of 6.6 cm per year, collides with the South American plate off the Chilean coast. For example, the plates shifted by more than 30 meters in the 1960 earthquake.

Why does Chile have bad earthquakes?

What caused the Chile earthquake of 1960? The Nazca plate is a large tectonic plate that underlies the Pacific Ocean near the western coast of South America. It is subducting under (that is, being forced under) the South American plate.

What is the most significant fact about the Chilean earthquake?

The earthquake that struck near Valdivia, Chile, in 1960 was the most powerful temblor in recorded history. The quake left about 2 million people homeless. On May 22, 1960, the most powerful earthquake in recorded history—magnitude 9.5—struck southern Chile.

Why does Dr Lucy Jones say during an earthquake She wants to be outside?

Add that her great-great-grandparents are buried literally in the San Andreas fault and it’s hard not to think that her fate was preordained. Today Jones is among the world’s most influential seismologists—and perhaps the most recognizable.

How was Chile formed geologically?

The geology of Chile is a characterized by processes linked to subduction such as volcanism, earthquakes and orogeny. The buildings blocks of Chile’s geology assembled during the Paleozoic Era. Chile was by then the southwestern margin of the supercontinent Gondwana.

What is an earthquake expert called?

Seismologists study earthquakes by looking at the damage that was caused and by using seismometers. A seismometer is an instrument that records the shaking of the Earth’s surface caused by seismic waves. The term seismograph usually refers to the combined seismometer and recording device.

What happens if I don’t have earthquake insurance?

If an earthquake damages your home and you don’t have earthquake insurance, you’ll most likely end up paying out of pocket to make any necessary repairs. If your property is at high risk for earthquakes, the seller may disclose this in a Natural Hazard Report.