Decoding the Narrative of the Chilean coup d’état Through the Seismograms of September 1973

Abstract

This study reveals the seismic signature of the 1973 Chilean coup d’état by analyzing historical paper seismograms from September 1973. The continuous traces of the seismic activity preceding, during, and after the military coup were recorded by a Teledyne Geotech seismometer installed near (∼2 km) the presidential palace La Moneda. Our analysis revealed that distinct seismic patterns corresponded to specific societal activities, such as the morning commute and nighttime quietness. The seismic records captured the upheaval caused by the coup, including the military intervention, the bombing of La Moneda palace, and the subsequent imposition of a national curfew. The latter led to a significant reduction in anthropogenic noise making it easier to detect seismic events with enhanced clarity. To reconstruct the events of September 1973, we combined the seismic data with the historical archives of the Museo de la Memoria y los Derechos Humanos (Museum of Memory and Human Rights Foundation). This research offers a unique perspective on the recent history of Chile. It also highlights the importance of seismic and scientific records as elements of cultural heritage worthy of preservation and recognition. In addition, it underlines the close link between Chile’s seismological characteristics and the profound influence they have had on the shaping of the country’s identity serving as an invaluable source of inspiration for artistic representations of natural hazards and disasters. Finally, the article emphasizes the imperative of preserving historical scientific records, not only as invaluable resources for advancing scientific understanding, but also as foundational elements for fostering transdisciplinary collaborations. The safeguarding of these records facilitates the interplay between science and art, creating new pathways for the dissemination of complex scientific knowledge, while inspiring creative expressions that engage with and reflect on Chile’s cultural and natural history.