Top Highlights
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In July 2024, a 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck Calama, Chile, highlighting unique mechanisms behind intermediate-depth quakes that can cause unexpected levels of destruction.
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Unlike typical megathrust earthquakes, the Calama quake originated 125 km underground, where increased heat and pressure led to a phenomenon called “thermal runaway,” enhancing its intensity.
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Research findings challenge previous assumptions about earthquake mechanisms, indicating that intermediate-depth earthquakes can rupture from cooler to hotter zones, resulting in faster propagation and greater severity.
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Understanding these earthquakes can improve future hazard assessments and inform infrastructure planning and emergency response systems in earthquake-prone regions like Chile.
Understanding the Unique Nature of the Calama Quake
On July 2024, Chile experienced a significant 7.4-magnitude earthquake near Calama. This quake left a trail of destruction, damaging buildings and causing power outages. Interestingly, this event differs from the historical megathrust earthquakes that usually devastate the region. Typically, megathrust quakes occur at shallow depths and produce intense shaking. In contrast, the Calama quake struck an astonishing 125 kilometers underground. Deep quakes often generate less surface shaking. However, new research indicates this quake was an exception.
Researchers discovered a complex chain of events that intensified the quake’s strength. The phenomenon, which involves a process known as “thermal runaway,” allowed the quake to breach traditional limits of seismic activity. Unlike previous assumptions where dehydration embrittlement was the main cause, this quake transitioned into a hotter zone, generating significant friction and heat. As a result, this led to a faster rupture, contributing to the quake’s destructive power. Understanding these dynamics offers crucial insights into the tectonic forces at play.
Implications for Future Earthquake Preparedness
The findings from this study hold substantial implications for future earthquake hazard assessments. Researchers emphasize that intermediate-depth earthquakes like the one in Calama can be surprisingly destructive. With another large earthquake likely overdue in Chile, the urgency for better preparedness grows. Enhanced monitoring, including the use of seismometers and geodetic stations, will be vital. These tools will help scientists track how earthquakes deform the crust.
Incorporating new understanding into infrastructure planning and emergency response systems can save lives and reduce damage. As earthquake research evolves, paying attention to these deeper seismic events becomes increasingly important. Ultimately, this knowledge can help communities become resilient in the face of natural disasters.
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