The seismic gap theory identifies regions of elevated hazard based on a lack of recent
seismicity in comparison with other portions of a fault. It has successfully explained past
earthquakes (see, for example, ref.) and is useful for qualitatively describing where large
earthquakes might occur. A large earthquake had been expected in the subduction zone
adjacent to northern Chile,,,, which had not ruptured in a megathrust earthquake since a M∼
8.8 event in 1877. On 1 April 2014 a M 8.2 earthquake occurred within this seismic gap …

The seismic gap theory, which identifies regions of elevated hazard based on a lack of
recent seismicity in comparison to other portions of a fault, has successfully explained past
earthquakes and is useful for qualitatively describing where future large earthquakes might
occur. A large earthquake had been expected in the subduction zone adjacent to northern
Chile, which until recently had not ruptured in a megathrust earthquake since a M~ 8.8 event
in 1877. On April 1 2014, a M 8.2 earthquake occurred within this northern Chile seismic …