Streamflow response in small upland catchments in the Chilean coastal range to the MW 8.8 Maule earthquake on 27 February 2010

Hydrological response to earthquakes has long been observed, yet the mechanisms responsible still remain unclear and likely vary in space and time. This study explores the base flow response in small upland catchments of the Coastal Range of south‐central Chile after the MW 8.8 Maule earthquake of 27 February 2010. An initial decline in streamflow followed by an increase of up to 400% of the discharge measured immediately before the earthquake occurred, and diurnal streamflow oscillations intensified after the earthquake. Neither response time, nor time to maximum streamflow discharge showed any relationship with catchment topography or size, suggesting non‐uniform release of water across the catchments. The fast response, unaffected stream water temperatures and a simple diffusion model point to the sandy saprolite as the source of the excess water. Base flow recession analysis reveals no evidence for substantial enhancement of lateral hydraulic conductivity in the saprolite after the earthquake. Seismic energy density reached ∼170 J/m3 for the main shock and ∼0.9 J/m3 for the aftershock, exceeding the threshold for liquefaction by undrained consolidation only during the main shock. Although increased hydraulic gradient due to ground acceleration‐triggered, undrained consolidation is consistent with empirical magnitude‐distance relationships for liquefaction, the lack of independent evidence for liquefaction means that enhanced vertical permeability (probably in combination with co‐seismic near‐surface dilatancy) cannot be excluded as a potential mechanism. Undrained consolidation may have released additional water from the saturated saprolite into the overlying soil, temporarily reducing water transfer to the creeks but enlarging the cross‐section of the saturated zone, which in turn enhanced streamflow after establishment of a new hydraulic equilibrium. The enlarged saturated zone facilitated water uptake by roots and intensified evapotranspiration. Key Points Our study shows streamflow response to the Maule event in small upland catchment Liquefaction or permeability change may cause decline and increase in streamflow We demonstrate for the first time that earthquakes can enhance plant activity