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Kusi and the Inca Earthquake

Publication

On October 1, 2025

For more than thirty years, French research teams from the French National Research Institute for Sustainable Development (IRD) have been involved in assessing natural hazards and risks in Peru. Working closely with the Geological, Mining and Metallurgical Institute of Peru (INGEMMET), they are striving to better understand extreme geological phenomena (earthquakes, landslides, volcanic eruptions) in order to help reduce risks and protect populations. 

It is within this context that Le Gardien de Cusco (The Guardian of Cusco) was born. Kusi and the Inca Earthquake is a children's book based on research conducted since 2017 in Cusco, a city with a population of over 500,000.

This tale has been adapted from an Inca historical chronicle studied by French and Peruvian geologists to understand the seismic history of the Cusco fault in Peru.
It promotes respect for the environment and highlights the importance of passing on knowledge about natural hazards.

This initiative contributes to the dissemination of Earth Science research conducted by INGEMMET, IRD, and UGA in Peru.
'Kusi and the Inca Earthquake' has been selected for resource certification as part of the Year of Geosciences.

// More information:

The Guardian of Cusco: Kusi and the Inca Earthquake - Année des Géosciences 
anneedesgeosciences.cnrs.fr 

// Partners:

-Instituto Geológico Minero y Metalúrgico - INGEMMET Peru
-Institut de Recherche pour le Développement - IRD France
-Observatoire des Sciences de l’Univers - OSUG France
-Risk Institute - Université Grenoble Alpes

Date

On October 1, 2025

Submitted on December 1, 2025

Updated on December 1, 2025