Sunday, February 28, 2010
When did the event happen? Where did it happen? What crustal plate movements are linked to the event? What was the magnitude of the event?
A destructive earthquake with a Richter magnitude of 8.0 (M8.0) struck 20 miles offshore from central Chile on Sunday, March 3, 1985 at approximately 7.45pm, local time. The earthquake was caused by the Nazca plate pushing under the South American plate. Its epicenter was located on the south coasts of Valparaíso Region, Chile, close to the beaches of Algarrobo.
What was the impact and extent of the damage caused as a result of the the event?
Approximately 20,000 square miles of the mainland nad 6 million people were affected by this earthquake, including the capital of Santiago.In addition to the major quake, there were also more than 2000 aftershocks within the next 18 days. Another major aftershock of a Richter magnitude of 7.2 also occurred on the same region one month later, on 9 April 1985.Aftershocks continued till 1989.
Over 180 people died, 2500 people were seriously injured and over 1 million people were homeless due to their houses being destroyed by the earthquake and its aftershocks. The total economic loss was more than 1046 million US dollars. Many landslides and pavement breaks were registered. The Pan-American highway was broken down in several points. Bridges were also destroyed or badly damaged. This has badly damaged the city's and towns' infrastructure. There were long interruption on basic services such as transportation, medical services, electrical services and communication services.
What did the government do in response to the event?
Almost immediately, the Government started the emergency phase-involving search and rescue, medical care, emergency water distribution, emergency shelters, clearing main thoroughfares, restoring power, and the demolishing of unsafe structures. Followed by repairs and reconstruction of the town.
Your reflections: What do you think can be done to minimize the damage of such events?
Houses close enough to an earthquake will suffer structural damage. Houses constructed to absorb and evenly distribute horizontal shifting fare best in an earthquake. Step taken to minimize the extent of this damage includes reinforcing the foundation, floors, walls, roof and securing the contents of the houses. This improves its ability to withstand lateral and vertical forces.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
1) Author unknown, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1985_Santiago_earthquake, extracted 27-02-2010
2) Author unknown, http://www.eqecat.com/documents/Chile_EQ_1985.html, extracted on 27-02-2010
3) Author unknown, http://www.mundoandino.com/Chile/1985-Santiago-earthquake, extracted on 27-02-2010
4) Author unknown, http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/119514964/abstract?CRETRY=1&SRETRY=0, extracted on 27-02-2010
5) Disasters: Preparedness and Mitigation - Issue No. 024 - July, 1985 (PAHO; 1985; 8 pages) http://helid.desastres.net/?e=d-0who--00-1-0--010---4----0--0-10l--1en-5000---50-help-0---01131-0011al1ByTN%6042f94161000000004af86a14-0utfZz-8-0-0&a=d&cl=CL3.1.6&d=Jdi024e.1, extracted on 27-02-2010
6) Produced by Public Affairs Centre for Housing Information Division, http://earthquakescanada.nrcan.gc.ca/info-gen/prepare-preparer/eqresist-eng.php, extracted on 27-02-2010
7) http://www.photius.com/countries/chile/economy/chile_economy_evolution_of_the_eco~438.html, extracted on 27-02-2010 (picture)
8) http://www.world-housing.net/whereport1view.php?id=100018, extracted on 27-02-2010 (picture)
9) http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:1985_Chilean_earthquake.png, extracted on 27-02-2010 (picture)
A destructive earthquake with a Richter magnitude of 8.0 (M8.0) struck 20 miles offshore from central Chile on Sunday, March 3, 1985 at approximately 7.45pm, local time. The earthquake was caused by the Nazca plate pushing under the South American plate. Its epicenter was located on the south coasts of Valparaíso Region, Chile, close to the beaches of Algarrobo.
What was the impact and extent of the damage caused as a result of the the event?
Approximately 20,000 square miles of the mainland nad 6 million people were affected by this earthquake, including the capital of Santiago.In addition to the major quake, there were also more than 2000 aftershocks within the next 18 days. Another major aftershock of a Richter magnitude of 7.2 also occurred on the same region one month later, on 9 April 1985.Aftershocks continued till 1989.
Over 180 people died, 2500 people were seriously injured and over 1 million people were homeless due to their houses being destroyed by the earthquake and its aftershocks. The total economic loss was more than 1046 million US dollars. Many landslides and pavement breaks were registered. The Pan-American highway was broken down in several points. Bridges were also destroyed or badly damaged. This has badly damaged the city's and towns' infrastructure. There were long interruption on basic services such as transportation, medical services, electrical services and communication services.
What did the government do in response to the event?
Almost immediately, the Government started the emergency phase-involving search and rescue, medical care, emergency water distribution, emergency shelters, clearing main thoroughfares, restoring power, and the demolishing of unsafe structures. Followed by repairs and reconstruction of the town.
Your reflections: What do you think can be done to minimize the damage of such events?
Houses close enough to an earthquake will suffer structural damage. Houses constructed to absorb and evenly distribute horizontal shifting fare best in an earthquake. Step taken to minimize the extent of this damage includes reinforcing the foundation, floors, walls, roof and securing the contents of the houses. This improves its ability to withstand lateral and vertical forces.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
1) Author unknown, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1985_Santiago_earthquake, extracted 27-02-2010
2) Author unknown, http://www.eqecat.com/documents/Chile_EQ_1985.html, extracted on 27-02-2010
3) Author unknown, http://www.mundoandino.com/Chile/1985-Santiago-earthquake, extracted on 27-02-2010
4) Author unknown, http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/119514964/abstract?CRETRY=1&SRETRY=0, extracted on 27-02-2010
5) Disasters: Preparedness and Mitigation - Issue No. 024 - July, 1985 (PAHO; 1985; 8 pages) http://helid.desastres.net/?e=d-0who--00-1-0--010---4----0--0-10l--1en-5000---50-help-0---01131-0011al1ByTN%6042f94161000000004af86a14-0utfZz-8-0-0&a=d&cl=CL3.1.6&d=Jdi024e.1, extracted on 27-02-2010
6) Produced by Public Affairs Centre for Housing Information Division, http://earthquakescanada.nrcan.gc.ca/info-gen/prepare-preparer/eqresist-eng.php, extracted on 27-02-2010
7) http://www.photius.com/countries/chile/economy/chile_economy_evolution_of_the_eco~438.html, extracted on 27-02-2010 (picture)
8) http://www.world-housing.net/whereport1view.php?id=100018, extracted on 27-02-2010 (picture)
9) http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:1985_Chilean_earthquake.png, extracted on 27-02-2010 (picture)
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
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