Scientists warn of earthquakes in the Andes

A recent study by scientists from the University of Hawaii in Mānoa - USA shows that the eastern region of the Andes Mountains may witness earthquakes of up to 8.9 on the Richter scale.

The results of the study surprised the scientists because they had only identified the strongest earthquake in this area, only 7.5 on the Richter scale, based on seismic history studies. in the region.

Scientists warn of earthquakes in the Andes.

Benjamin Brooks, a researcher at the Hawaii Institute of Geophysics and Planetology at the Earth-Ocean University of Science and Technology in Mānoa, and colleagues used GPS data to draw surface movement. the face of the earth in the lower Andes region, along the eastern flank of the Andes. The research results show that the speed of the earth's surface movement from west to east is seriously reduced.

Mr. Brooks said: ' We relate GPS surface motions to surface movement through deformed models. In this case, we use a simple rubber model of a piece of wood on a variation and make millions of simulations of Monte Carlo method to determine the probability distribution for the sample parameters '.

Mr. Benjamin Brooks (outside, left) also partners .

From that data, the researchers conclude that the eastern region of the region is currently involved in a 100-kilometer long zone of opposing rocky tectonic plates. Researchers estimate that the fracture in the region can cause strong earthquakes of up to 8.9 on the Richter scale.