Peru’s ‘mega-quake’ threat: Why an 8.8 earthquake is feared

Peru conducted the year’s second national multi-hazard drill on Friday to a possible 8.8-magnitude earthquake centered off the central coast of Lima and Callao.

President Keiko Fujimori urged citizens and authorities to be constantly prepared for high-magnitude earthquakes, emphasizing that such disasters provide no warning.

The President highlighted the importance of having an emergency backpack with basic supplies and stressed that schools must have clear evacuation and regrouping protocols.

The drill was conducted nationwide to strengthen preparedness with the President visiting a mobile command post in Lima’s Main Square to receive hypothetical damage reports.

Reports simulated an 8.8-magnitude earthquake, which would result in thousands of casualties, millions of people left homeless or affected, and widespread destruction of homes, schools, and critical infrastructure.

The drill came after the western part of Columbia was hit with a 7.4-magnitude earthquake, leaving 265 people dead in this disaster. Hence, the importance of these drills was reinforced by recent seismic activity in the Junin region of Peru, as well as major seismic events in other South American countries like Colombia and Venezuela.

Peru sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire, where around 80 percent of the world’s seismic activity occurs. In July, the Andean region of Junin recorded several earthquakes that left homes destroyed and people dead.

Since April ten earthquakes of over 7 magnitude have rattled the world. On Saturday, a powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake rocked Indonesia, leaving 38 dead and triggering mass evacuations.