Why are earthquakes and tsunamis common in Chile?

Earthquakes and tsunamis are common in Chile primarily due to the country's location along a highly active subduction zone where the Nazca Plate converges with the South American Plate.1

In this geological process, the denser oceanic crust of the Nazca Plate is forced beneath the lighter continental crust of the South American Plate. This ongoing movement, which occurs at a rate of 6–10 cm per year, creates immense pressure and tectonic stress. When this stress is released, it generates powerful earthquakes, such as the magnitude-9.5 event in 1960, which is considered the most powerful of the 20th century.1

These seismic events frequently trigger tsunamis when the displacement of the ocean floor occurs along major faults. The region is also characterized by the Peru-Chile Trench, a deep-sea depression that marks the boundary where these plates interact, further highlighting the intense tectonic activity that shapes the country's landscape and contributes to its history of natural disasters.123