Chile’s Earthquake Proofing Efforts Pass Severe Test

Santiago (PNA/Xinhua) — The number of casualties from the 8.4-magnitude earthquake that hit Chile on Wednesday and the subsequent tsunami was mercifully low, largely thanks to the country’s abundant earthquake proofing efforts.

Such a high-magnitude and shallow-focus earthquake has so far killed 11 people, at least three of whom died from heart attacks.

As one of the most earthquake-prone countries in the world, Chile accounts for around 21 percent of all recorded earthquakes every year, making it experienced in dealing with tremors.

Its accomplished disaster prevention system, broad public awareness and rapid response measures help the country cope with Wednesday’s earthquake with flying colors.

Chile’s earthquake proofing experience can be summarized as follows:

First, the government mandates that builders adhere to a rigorous code, following the architectural principle of a “strong column with a weak beam.”

This construction technique sees rigid and reinforced concrete columns, covered by a steel frame, placed inside new buildings, allowing them to better absorb the impacts of seismic energy while beams are flexible to dissipate energy into the columns.

Wednesday’s quake caused no new buildings to collapse although a number of adobe houses crumbled in smaller towns and rural areas.

To comply with this requirement, the cost of a new building is increased by 15 percent on average, according to statistics from the Chilean Association of Architectural Bureaus.

Second, a seismic monitoring network around the country helps relevant organizations handle disaster assessment and deploy the right countermeasures.

An updated tsunami warning system was adopted in 2012, thanks to which 1 million coastal residents were evacuated to safe areas in Wednesday’s earthquake, according to Ricardo Toro, director of the National Office of Emergency for the Chilean Ministry of Interior.

Third, broad awareness about earthquakes among the general population helps prevent more losses of life. President Michelle Bachelet praised the calm and orderly manner in which the public evacuated their homes and reached safe zones, even without assistance of the government.

This awareness is the result of a prolonged campaign by the government, which has issued disaster prevention guides and evacuation route maps to the public, and also held regular drills across the country. (PNA/Xinhua) JBP/CDN