Chile's Most Prominent Hazards
Chile is highly susceptible to many natural hazards, but the two biggest threats are earthquakes and extreme weather, specifically drought.
Why they happen & why I'd address them as a priority
Earthquakes
ThinkHazard says Chile's earthquake hazard is classified as high, meaning there is more than a 20% chance of a potentially-damaging earthquake taking place in the country in the next 50 years. The potential for hazard is particularly high due to its 3,000 km long subduction zone along the coast and because of the relatively high subduction velocity (6-7 cm per year) of the Nazca plate upon which it sits on. To sum it up:1/4 of all global seismic energy released in the past century occurred there. Chile has had 13 major earthquakes in the last 30 years, and boasts the largest earthquake ever recorded (a M 9.5 in Santiago, 1960 - fyi), AND many of these quakes trigger either landslides, tsunamis, and/or volcanic activity. That being said, I think earthquakes would be my top priority in hazard mitigation and management.
Sources
thinkhazard
Subduction info
more earthquake facts
Drought
Chile's historical 7-year-and-counting Megadrought has been affecting the central and southern regions of the country, where a vast majority of its 17 million citizens live. Climatologist Maisa Rojas from University of Chile says, "We have been calling it the mega-drought because it has been very extended in space and in time ... we have seen this before, but never so widespread" (NPR). The drought has affected virtually everyone in Chile through water shortage struggles leading to agriculture problems, extreme wildfires and many more ecological, social and economic issues. Of course, the drought, climate change and water shortage all go hand in hand, and once you add a growing agriculture and industry business into the mix, water supply is especially sparse.
Sources
Mega-drought
more on megadrought
Recommendations to address the hazards
Earthquakes
Chile already does a lot for earthquake preparation and response - ie nationwide drills 6+ times a year and classes, broadcasts warning systems over multiple networks to reach all of its citizens - but if I had to improve or recommend anything else, I'd assign a specific siren sound to ring out in smaller villages. I'd also make sure there's a surplus of water to provide to citizens in case of a shortage caused by a quake.
Sources
warning messages
drills, classes
Drought
A huge problem presented by the drought is water shortage. A video I've watched mentions that Chile's privatized water supply system allows for people to take water from streams they own and release it into the ocean purposely, in order to make supplies even more scarce so that people are forced to buy their water. Chile's current water supply laws were first enforced 35 years ago under a dictatorial leadership, marked by free-market rules and reduced state oversight, allowing for immense corruption and manipulation at the expense of all of Chile's citizens. Chile currently fines owners who "hoard" this water in hopes of diverting speculators from exploitation, but I believe more can be done!
A hydrologist in Chile, Pablo Garcia, suggests desalination of seawater or importation of water from elsewhere -- and I believe that is an excellent way to start! I'd also focus on promoting renewable energy usage to adapt with climate change, and pour funds into studies to research the best fire-prevention methods for areas most susceptible.
Sources
Video
Where I'd help first
Earthquakes
Since Chile's earthquakes occur most frequently in subduction zones and its subduction zone is off the coast, I'd help coastal cities, towns and villages etc. I'd also try to support small villages that may not have easy escape routes or signal to receive emergency messages or updates.
Sources
subduction zone info
Drought
All of Chile is affected indirectly or directly by drought. I would start by running some new water laws by congress to close off the free-market approach to the water industry and put the power into more responsible hands. I'd try again, to help smaller towns and villages that don't have as easy access to water supply as bigger cities may have.
Sources
info on how villagers struggle to get water </3
Where I'd build a house in Chile
Since drought and earthquakes are practically inescapable in Chile, I'd probably live in a larger city such as Concepcion or Santiago. This would ensure that I'd be living in a earthquake-safe building, as Chile enforces strict building codes. I'd also be able to have an evacuation plan practiced and set out, because of Chile's simulation protocols held every year. I'd also be in good standing to receive emergency warnings for hazards. As for the drought, water supplies are obviously mostly allocated to areas where population is dense.
Sources
information on Chile's strict earthquake mitigation, including the drills, classes, and building codes
Thank you for reading and for some great conversations this semester! I hope you all have a restful winter break :-)
Why they happen & why I'd address them as a priority
Earthquakes
ThinkHazard says Chile's earthquake hazard is classified as high, meaning there is more than a 20% chance of a potentially-damaging earthquake taking place in the country in the next 50 years. The potential for hazard is particularly high due to its 3,000 km long subduction zone along the coast and because of the relatively high subduction velocity (6-7 cm per year) of the Nazca plate upon which it sits on. To sum it up:1/4 of all global seismic energy released in the past century occurred there. Chile has had 13 major earthquakes in the last 30 years, and boasts the largest earthquake ever recorded (a M 9.5 in Santiago, 1960 - fyi), AND many of these quakes trigger either landslides, tsunamis, and/or volcanic activity. That being said, I think earthquakes would be my top priority in hazard mitigation and management.
Sources
thinkhazard
Subduction info
more earthquake facts
Drought
Chile's historical 7-year-and-counting Megadrought has been affecting the central and southern regions of the country, where a vast majority of its 17 million citizens live. Climatologist Maisa Rojas from University of Chile says, "We have been calling it the mega-drought because it has been very extended in space and in time ... we have seen this before, but never so widespread" (NPR). The drought has affected virtually everyone in Chile through water shortage struggles leading to agriculture problems, extreme wildfires and many more ecological, social and economic issues. Of course, the drought, climate change and water shortage all go hand in hand, and once you add a growing agriculture and industry business into the mix, water supply is especially sparse.
Sources
Mega-drought
more on megadrought
Recommendations to address the hazards
Earthquakes
Chile already does a lot for earthquake preparation and response - ie nationwide drills 6+ times a year and classes, broadcasts warning systems over multiple networks to reach all of its citizens - but if I had to improve or recommend anything else, I'd assign a specific siren sound to ring out in smaller villages. I'd also make sure there's a surplus of water to provide to citizens in case of a shortage caused by a quake.
Sources
warning messages
drills, classes
Drought
A huge problem presented by the drought is water shortage. A video I've watched mentions that Chile's privatized water supply system allows for people to take water from streams they own and release it into the ocean purposely, in order to make supplies even more scarce so that people are forced to buy their water. Chile's current water supply laws were first enforced 35 years ago under a dictatorial leadership, marked by free-market rules and reduced state oversight, allowing for immense corruption and manipulation at the expense of all of Chile's citizens. Chile currently fines owners who "hoard" this water in hopes of diverting speculators from exploitation, but I believe more can be done!
A hydrologist in Chile, Pablo Garcia, suggests desalination of seawater or importation of water from elsewhere -- and I believe that is an excellent way to start! I'd also focus on promoting renewable energy usage to adapt with climate change, and pour funds into studies to research the best fire-prevention methods for areas most susceptible.
Sources
Video
Where I'd help first
Earthquakes
Since Chile's earthquakes occur most frequently in subduction zones and its subduction zone is off the coast, I'd help coastal cities, towns and villages etc. I'd also try to support small villages that may not have easy escape routes or signal to receive emergency messages or updates.
Sources
subduction zone info
Drought
All of Chile is affected indirectly or directly by drought. I would start by running some new water laws by congress to close off the free-market approach to the water industry and put the power into more responsible hands. I'd try again, to help smaller towns and villages that don't have as easy access to water supply as bigger cities may have.
Sources
info on how villagers struggle to get water </3
Where I'd build a house in Chile
Since drought and earthquakes are practically inescapable in Chile, I'd probably live in a larger city such as Concepcion or Santiago. This would ensure that I'd be living in a earthquake-safe building, as Chile enforces strict building codes. I'd also be able to have an evacuation plan practiced and set out, because of Chile's simulation protocols held every year. I'd also be in good standing to receive emergency warnings for hazards. As for the drought, water supplies are obviously mostly allocated to areas where population is dense.
Sources
information on Chile's strict earthquake mitigation, including the drills, classes, and building codes
Thank you for reading and for some great conversations this semester! I hope you all have a restful winter break :-)
Great final reflection. Happy Holidays and great 2019-
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