HIC country: Chile

• What is the key information about the Chile Earthquake?

  • 27 February 2010
  • Chile is an HIC - 41st in the world for HDI
  • Earthquake struck  off the coast
  • Destructive plate margin 
  • 8.8 on the Richter scale
• What were the primary impacts of the Chile earthquake?

  • 500 died
  • 12,000 injured
  • US$30 billion cost
  • 4500 schools damaged
• What were the secondary  impacts of the Chile earthquake?

  •  1500km of roads damaged, mainly by landslides
  • Several coastal towns devastated by tsunami waves 
  • A fire at a chemical plant near Santiago – the area had to be evacuated.
• What were the immediate responses to the Chile earthquake?


  • Emergency services (the army) responded quickly and rescued many
  • International support provided field hospitals
  • 30,000 temporary wooden shelters were built by the government to house the homeless
• What were the long-term  responses to the Chile earthquake?

  • Rebuilt the economy quickly due to economy based on copper
  • Within ten days, 90% of homes had had power and water restored.
  • Chile’s government launched a housing reconstruction plan just one month after the earthquake to help 200,000 affected families.
• Why are the impacts of the Chile earthquake less significant?

  • Own machinery  to clear rubble.
  • Own highly trained and well equipped armed services.
  • Chile government paid for much of rebuild