Chile faces a potential 65% chance of a mega-earthquake by 2026, prompting the National Disaster Prevention and Response Service to implement enhanced preparedness measures, including Early Warning Units and tsunami alarms, as they recall the devastating earthquake of 2010.
Chile is preparing for the potential threat of a mega-earthquake, with the National Seismological Center estimating a 65% probability of a magnitude eight earthquake or higher occurring by 2026. Dr. Marcos Moreno from the University of Concepción’s Millennium Institute of Oceanography corroborated these assessments, noting significant deformations in the Atacama Trench that suggest energy accumulation for a seismic event between magnitudes 8.0 and 8.5.
In response to these alarming forecasts, the National Disaster Prevention and Response Service (SENAPRED) has been enhancing disaster preparedness infrastructure. The establishment of Early Warning Units across various regions aims to improve emergency response. Additionally, a communication strategy utilizing the Emergency Alert System (SAE) on mobile devices is being employed to facilitate tsunami evacuations.
Efforts are also underway to deploy over a thousand tsunami warning alarms along the Chilean coast. This heightened focus on disaster preparedness coincides with the 15th anniversary of the devastating 8.8-magnitude earthquake and tsunami that resulted in over 500 fatalities and displaced two million people. Alicia Cebrián, the national director of SENAPRED, stressed the importance of remembering past events to ensure that lessons learned promote sustainable improvements in resilience.
Chile is taking significant proactive measures to prepare for the possibility of a major earthquake, notably the establishment of Early Warning Units and expansion of tsunami alarm systems. Experts emphasize that past disasters underscore the importance of continuous preparation and improvement to safeguard communities against future seismic events.
Original Source: www.plenglish.com
