How does Chile, an earthquake-prone country, avoid injury during natural disasters?

Chilewhere seismic movements are most common in the world “Ring of Fire” located in the so-called area. For this reason, we often hear the name of the country for its fight against earthquakes. In the country, in 1960 going on 9.5 magnitude The earthquake is known as the largest measured earthquake in the world. Of course, the history of earthquakes in the country is not limited to this. Chile has experienced many earthquakes from the past to the present. However, today For earthquakes over 8 even big no casualties. The reason for this is the restoration work, especially after the 8.8 magnitude earthquake that occurred on February 27, 2010. Chile also exports anti-seismic technologies developed abroad. And Chile? earthquake strategy How and why are they so good at it?

What happened during the great Chilean earthquake of 2010?

February 27, 2010The Chile earthquake in Chile occurred off the coast of the Maule region in Chile. Earthquake It was a magnitude 8.8. and about 3 minutes took so long. In 53 countries after the earthquake tsunami warning the. Despite strict building codes introduced after the great earthquake of 1960 and revised several times in the 1990s, approximately 400,000 buildings was significantly damaged. In this great disaster at least 800 people many people died a loss is, 2 million people reported immediate impact. Most of the casualties were caused by the tsunami that followed the earthquake. The earthquake was so strong that, according to seismologists, due to the earthquake, the length of the day was reduced by 1.26 microseconds, and the Earth’s axis of rotation shifted by 7.62 cm. In some regions food AND petrol because it is limited robberies happened. state aid delivery to the regions deferred The robberies continued throughout the week. After the earthquake, the Chilean government was heavily criticized for its late tsunami warning and delayed evacuation by the authorities.

1. Restructuring after the earthquake

After the great catastrophe Chilean armyto earthquake-affected areas to lead rescue operations and keep the peace the day after the earthquake. 10,000He posted more. Bachelet, then President of Chile, originally “Chile will not ask for help from other countries” announced but later He turned to the UN for help. and accepted offers of money and supplies from the United States, the European Union, and several Asian countries.

From February to June when the earthquake happened Over 50,000 temporary homes built and many homeless financial housing assistance made. at the end of the yearsome displaced persons have not yet moved to permanent settlements. Coastal areas hit by the tsunami are still trying to repair damage to fisheries and tourism. However, infrastructure repairs, including highways and airports, are largely complete. in July 2013 government, financial support 222,000 houses about reconstruction 74 percent completed reported. Other projects mid 2014 basically completed.

2. Persons liable for negligence and legal consequences of a natural disaster

• While the country tries to heal its wounds in May 2012including the director of the Chilean National Earthquake Emergency Office and the director of the Naval Hydrographic and Oceanographic Service. 8 official, “ignore tsunami warnings” AND “not informing the inhabitants of the coast about the approaching waves”was accused. As a result of the study, in February 2013Hydrographic and Oceanographic Service, “hide the fact that warnings are ignored” For “trying to change the registry” appeared.
• in March 2013a seismologist from the University of Chile, who was one of the 8 defendants, forced consent there was.
• in March 2014after an overseer from the National Office of Emergency Management at the time of the earthquake pleaded guilty to charges of “failing to file a proper report” probation was sentenced.
• in April 2016 the remaining 6 defendants refuse to sue and instead to the families of the 104 victims who went missing as a result of the tsunami. He will pay 235 million pesos ($236,300). an agreement was reached.
• In the same month government of Chile About the families of the tsunami victims 2.8 billion pesos ($2.7 million) They were ordered to pay.

Learning from Mistakes: The Great Chilean Earthquake of 2015

Calendars 1September 6, 2015 when Chile 8.3 magnitude AND longer than 3 minutes One earthquake rocked more. Due to the strong earthquake and the dozens of aftershocks that followed, approximately one million Human leave your home had. Tsunami waves formed after the earthquake hit the northern and southern coasts of the epicenter. Chilean governmentIn order not to repeat the disaster of 2010, immediate evacuation of coastal areas has provided. During this great disaster, which is considered one of the most powerful earthquakes in the world, Chile “13 persons” He is reported to have died.

Chilean President Michelle Bachelet interpreted the earthquake loss as “a very unfortunate situation”. number of victims if it’s so small the public must be ready He thanked them for their cooperation.

So how could this happen? in Haiti, Nepal much weaker earthquakes tens of thousands of people How did such a disaster hit Chile when he died?

1. The state has prepared people living in coastal areas for this possible disaster

Since the 2010 earthquake, the government has conducted many exercises in the region and established evacuation routes. Although some coastal towns and ports were affected by this earthquake, few people were affected by the waves.

2. Alerts were timely

As we mentioned earlier, there was no tsunami warning during the 2010 earthquake and the leaders even told people they could go back to their homes. But this time, the government was quick to issue a tsunami warning.

3. Strict building regulations

The cause of great loss of life in seismic countries is the collapse of structures such as buildings, bridges and dams. This was the case in Chile. However, as the country’s economy developed, opportunities increased and construction standards rose. He learned from his mistakes and followed important safety rules. As a result, the durability of buildings in Chile has increased.

4. Emergency applications developed

The Chilean National Center for Seismic Research began to work intensively after the 2010 disaster. Regional departments and state headquarters for emergency situations have intensified their work. Sea level observation systems have been developed.

5. Schools paid due attention to education.

After the earthquake, not only the authorities, but also the people acted quickly, but without alarm. In Chile’s schools, drills were constantly held in which children were taught how to remain calm in the event of an earthquake and safely leave the area.

The only question in my head is: is it possible to survive major disasters without injury?

He is a former army general who heads the Chilean disaster relief organization ONEMI. Ricardo Toro He interpreted this entire process, which we have explained above, in the following sentences:

• “We have a plan called Chile Prepares, and the most important part of it is the evacuation drills. Every year in all regions we conduct at least 6-7 evacuation exercises.”

Toro, who lost his wife in the 2010 Haiti earthquake, also “prevention systems should be focused on saving lives” said.

• “The rescue teams that arrived in the previous disaster were not coordinated. They were more concerned with sending the press to places where it could attract attention. But this is already a professional procedure with protocols. Because in times of disaster, improvisation is the worst.”
• “What separates an earthquake from a natural disaster is the level of preparedness.”

Sources: britannica, bbc, theguardian, nytimes

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