The same telluric displacements that created the Peru-Chile Trench make the country prone to earthquakes. During the twentieth century, Chile has been struck by twenty-eight major earthquakes, all with a force greater than 6.9 on the Richter scale. The strongest of these occurred in 2010 (registering an estimated 8.8 on the Richter scale) and in Valdivia 1960 (reaching 9.5). This latter earthquake occurred on May 22, the day after another major quake measuring 7.25 on the Richter scale, and covered an extensive section of south-central Chile. It caused a tsunami that destroyed several fishing villages in the south and raised or lowered sections of the coast as much as two meters. The convergence between the Earth's surface plates has also generated the Andes, a geologically young mountain range that in Chilean territory alone, includes about 620 volcanoes, many of which are active.
the same telluric displacements that created the peru-chile trench make the country prone to earthquakes during the twentieth century chile has been struck by twenty-eight major earthquakes all with a force greater than 69 on the richter scale the strongest of these occurred in 2010 (registering an estimated 88 on the richter scale) and in valdivia 1960 (reaching 95) this latter earthquake occurred on may 22 the day after another major quake measuring 725 on the richter scale and covered an extensive section of south-central chile it caused a tsunami that destroyed several fishing villages in the south and raised or lowered sections of the coast as much as two meters the convergence between the earth's surface plates has also generated the andes a geologically young mountain range that in chilean territory alone includes about 620 volcanoes many of which are active