Understanding Peru’s Earthquake Alert System: SASPe
Peru is no stranger to earthquakes, given its position along the Pacific Ring of Fire. Recently, a magnitude 6.1 earthquake shook Lima and the Callao region, leading to renewed concerns about the nation’s preparedness for seismic activities. This earthquake resulted in one fatality, 36 injuries, and significant structural damage, particularly in districts like Mi Perú and Independencia. The Instituto Geofísico del Perú (IGP) confirmed that the epicenter was located just 30 kilometers southwest of Callao, at a depth of 49 kilometers.
As emergency teams work to assess the damage, a pressing issue looms: the Sistema de Alerta Sísmica Peruano (SASPe), proposed as a crucial tool for saving lives, is still not operational. Despite the installation of sensors and some urban sirens in key locations such as Lima, Callao, Arequipa, and Ica, the system’s coverage remains inadequate. The SASPe is not expected to roll out a so-called “marcha blanca” until September this year, leaving countless citizens without the critical seconds needed to prepare for a significant earthquake.
The SASPe aims to provide seconds of warning for incoming destructive seismic waves. It relies on 111 seismic sensors positioned along Peru’s coastline, which detect the onset of an earthquake and activate urban sirens to alert the public. However, during the most recent earthquake in Callao, the system failed to activate. According to Hernando Tavera, the IGP’s executive president, this failure can be attributed to the system’s incomplete implementation. He mentioned that while sensor installations have been completed, the installation of sirens is still in progress, with hopes of conducting the operational tests by year’s end.
Alarmingly, the system currently has only one siren per district, with an auditory reach of just four blocks. In the case of the recent event, citizens would have received just three to four seconds of warning—a stark contrast to the 30-second alert that could have potentially been available after the Pisco earthquake in 2007, allowing many people to evacuate or take protective actions.
The development of the seismic alert system in Peru has faced numerous challenges, including delays, technical limitations, and partial implementation. Originally announced in 2021 as part of the government’s preventive measures under Dina Boluarte, the SASPe project has seen some progress, such as sensor installations and monitoring centers. However, the installation of sirens, managed by the Instituto Nacional de Defensa Civil (Indeci), is still incomplete.
Zarela Cieza, the Indeci’s deputy director of preparation, acknowledged that while the system is operational in certain regions, its coverage is minimal. The sirens are designed to activate only for earthquakes measuring more than 6 degrees, which helps avoid false alarms, but also means that the public has not had a real opportunity to experience how the system functions.
A significant limitation is that the system has yet to be integrated with mass communication channels, such as mobile phones. While the Sismate system exists to send emergency alerts to mobile devices, it operates independently and is not directly linked to SASPe.
Moreover, there is a growing unease among citizens. In areas like Lince, where an alert tower was installed in 2021, residents have reported not hearing the siren since initial tests, reflecting a troubling lack of continuity in testing and eroding public confidence in the system’s reliability.
In the backdrop of these developments, Lima has been experiencing a seismic silence for over 270 years, dating back to the 1746 megathrust earthquake. Experts warn that the accumulated tectonic energy could result in a major earthquake of 8.0 magnitude or higher at any moment. With this in mind, Tavera emphasized the critical need for the SASPe, stating that “each second of this system must be utilized to its fullest potential” to protect lives and ensure safety.
The need for an efficient and fully operational seismic alert system in Peru has never been more urgent. As the country grapples with the reality of living on a tectonically active terrain, the commitment to complete and integrate SASPe cannot be overstated. The lives of millions hang in the balance, and it is imperative for authorities to ensure that Peruvians are adequately prepared for future seismic events.