Location:

Magnitude:

8.8

Time:

27 Feb 2010 06:34:11

Depth:

22.9

There are 8 swarms found nearby.

2010

PS20100227.2(95.9km)

27 Feb

2 days 9 hours

41 earthquakes

PS20100227.6(31.7km)

27 Feb

13 hours

10 earthquakes

PS20100302.1(49.1km)

2 Mar

1 day 13 hours

7 earthquakes

PS20100310.1(81.3km)

10 Mar

6 hours

5 earthquakes

PS20100316.1(42.2km)

15 Mar

16 hours

5 earthquakes

2011

PS20110211.1(92.7km)

11 Feb

5 hours

7 earthquakes

2015

PS20150319.1(74.0km)

18 Mar

14 hours

5 earthquakes

2019

S20190930.1(71.6km)

29 Sep

23 hours

28 earthquakes

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The 2010 Maule Earthquake: Geology and Seismic History of Central Chile

The Maule region of central Chile lies within one of the world's most seismically active zones, shaped by the ongoing subduction of the Nazca Plate beneath the South American Plate. This tectonic interaction, occurring at a convergence rate of approximately 6–7 cm per year, generates frequent megathrust earthquakes along the Peru-Chile Trench. The region's geology features the Andean volcanic arc, coastal ranges, and sedimentary basins that amplify ground shaking during large events.

On 27 February 2010 at 06:34 local time, a moment magnitude 8.8 earthquake struck offshore Maule at a depth of 22.9 km. The rupture extended roughly 500 km along the plate interface, releasing energy equivalent to the 1960 Valdivia earthquake in certain segments. This event produced intense shaking across central Chile, triggering a tsunami with waves up to 2.5 m that inundated coastal communities. The quake caused widespread liquefaction in river valleys and landslides in the Andean foothills, altering local topography and river courses.

Central Chile has a documented history of destructive earthquakes dating back centuries. Notable predecessors include the 1835 Concepción event and the 1985 Valparaíso earthquake, both resulting from similar subduction dynamics. The 2010 Maule rupture partially filled a seismic gap that had accumulated strain since the mid-19th century. Post-event studies revealed significant afterslip and viscoelastic relaxation continuing for years afterward.

Modern monitoring networks operated by Chilean and international agencies have improved early-warning capabilities since 2010. Updated hazard models incorporate the Maule event's data to refine recurrence intervals, estimated at 100–200 years for M8+ events in this segment. The region's ongoing tectonic deformation underscores the need for resilient infrastructure amid persistent seismic risk.

References

United States Geological Survey Earthquake Catalog
Servicio Nacional de Geología y Minería (SERNAGEOMIN) reports