A powerful earthquake in Chile defied expectations. The magnitude 7.4 quake struck northern Chile near Calama in July 2024. Scientists now believe a hidden force deep underground supercharged the event.
The quake originated far deeper than typical Chilean megathrust earthquakes. It tore through hotter rock layers than previously thought possible. This unexpected rupture was fueled by a rare, heat-driven chain reaction. Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin discovered this phenomenon.
The shaking damaged buildings and disrupted power. The earthquake's unusual depth made the surface shaking stronger than anticipated. This challenges existing models of deep earthquake behavior.
Chile is earthquake-prone. The 1960 magnitude 9.5 quake remains the strongest ever recorded. However, the 2024 quake's deep rupture mechanism presents a new area of study.
Future research will focus on understanding these deep, heat-driven forces. Scientists aim to refine earthquake risk assessments. This could lead to improved early warning systems for similar events worldwide.
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