The book discusses the Chilean earthquake that occurred on 27 February 2010. It reached a magnitude of 8.8 M_w and had its epicentre in Cobquecura, in the Bío- Bío region. The phenomenon mainly affected central Chile, which comprises the regions of Araucanía, Bío- Bío, Maule, General O´Higgins, Valparaíso and Metropolitan. As of February 2010 it was the fifth largest earthquake ever to have occurred on a worldwide scale.

The book presents a comprehensive view of the occurrence, being organized in six chapters written by remarkable authors from different disciplines. The contributions come from the fields of geophysics, hydro-mechanical engineering, telecommunication, geographic information systems, urban and design planning, building engineering, architecture and urbanism. Authors from academia and the public and private sectors give an idea of complementary approaches that range from theoretical descriptions to practice and emergency solutions.

Up-to-date coverage includes a compilation of regulations related to earthquake-resistance standards and proposals for reconstruction and mitigation. Contents will be useful in preparing for the next large-scale earthquake that is predicted for Chile some time in the next 15 years.

The book will be useful for researchers, professional engineers, government decision makers, and teachers at university levels. It will also be suitable for undergraduates and postgraduates students.