Hazard profile

Chile is subject to extreme climatic variability, including drought, associated with the El Nino - Southern Oscillation (ENSO) climate signal. The regions that tend to be worst affected by drought are primarily agricultural[1]. Droughts in 1992, 1993, 1997 and 1998 caused major economic losses d...readmore

Chile is situated above the subduction zone between the Nazca and South American plates[1],[2]. The country has high rates of earthquake activity and has experienced some of the largest earthquakes in the world including the 1960 moment magnitude 9.5 event[2],[3]. Most of the earthquakes are subma...readmore

During El Nino events the western coast of Chile is often prone to excessive rainfall that can lead to flooding. During the 1997 El Nino event torrential rains led to many flash floods in western parts of the country. fn1. Kane, R.P. 2006. El Nino effects on rainfall in South America: compariso...readmore

Catastrophic occurrences of mass movements (including debris avalanches, landslides and mudflows) have occurred in the Andes in south-central Chile several times over the last 400 years. Regional seismic activity is the primary trigger with the 1960 event leading to thousands of landslides, debris ...readmore

The Chile-Peru region is one of the most tsunamigenic regions of the world[1]. The last major tsunami to strike Chile followed the 1960 moment magnitude 9.5 earthquake[2]. fn1. Mazova, R.K.H & Ramirez, J.F. 1999. Tsunami waves with initial negative wave on the Chilean coast. Natural Hazards. Vo...readmore

The central volcanic zone of the Andes is one of the most extensive volcanic provinces in the world. The chain of volcanoes in Chile is made up of dacite-andesite composite cones and dome complexes of which many exceed 6000 m above sea level[1]. There are 38 historically active volcanoes in Chil...readmore

Forty-five percent of Chile is vulnerable to wildfires. With a Mediterranean climate and a long dry season, Chile's forest fire season normally occurs between October and April with a period of maximum activity between December and February. On average 5200 fires are recorded each year affecting...readmore