According to the director of the National Seismological Center, Sergio Barrientos, there is a 65 percent probability of the occurrence of a magnitude eight earthquake, or even greater power in 2026.

The principal investigator of the Millennium Institute of Oceanography of the University of Concepción, Dr. Marcos Moreno, agrees with this opinion, after deformations in the ocean floor of the Atacama Trench were detected. “The data on land already indicate that this area is gathering energy and that a large earthquake of magnitude 8.0 to 8.5 could soon occur,” he said.

Following the warnings from specialists, the National Disaster Prevention and Response Service reported that they have been making substantial improvements in different areas for some time.

An important step is the creation of Early Warning Units in each of the regions, said the national director of SENAPRED, Alicia Cebrián.

The messaging of the Emergency Alert System (SAE) for cell phones is also used, in order to reinforce evacuation in the event of a tsunami. In addition, the process of granting concessions for the installation of more than a thousand alarms along the entire coast is under way.

The issue came to light as this week marked the 15th anniversary of the 8.8-magnitude earthquake and subsequent tsunami that left more than 500 dead and two million homeless.

“The memory of that February 27th should serve as a reminder to be prepared for future emergencies, and the lessons learned should continue to influence the way the country strengthens itself sustainably and without leaving anyone behind,” said Cebrián, who added that history has taught that preparation is the best defence against the unexpected.

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