Earthquakes in Chile and Nepal

• Chile has a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of 298.2 billion USD, ranking 38th in the world (out of 193 countries).
• Chile's Human Development Index (HDI) is 41st in the world (out of 187 countries).
• Nepal has a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of 29.04 billion USD, ranking 109th in the world (out of 193 countries).
• Nepal's Human Development Index (HDI) is 145th in the world (out of 187 countries).
• Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is a measure of the total wealth of a country.
• Human Development Index (HDI) is a measure of the development of a country.
• Santiago, Chile is the capital of Chile.
• Kathmandu, Nepal is the capital of Nepal.
• Both Chile and Nepal have suffered severe earthquakes.
• The 2010 Chile Earthquake, measuring 8.8 on the Richter scale, struck off the coast of Chile, lasting for over three minutes, and occurred on a destructive plate margin where the Nazca plate subducts beneath the South American plate.
• The 2015 Nepal Earthquake, measuring 7.9 magnitude, hit Nepal, caused by the subduction of the Indo-Australian plate beneath the Eurasian plate (destructive plate margin), with its epicentre around 80km away from Nepal’s capital, Kathmandu, and originating only 15km below the surface.
• The effects of the earthquakes in Chile and Nepal were contrasting, with Chile suffering more primary effects such as around 500 killed and 12,000 injured, 800,000 people affected overall, many buildings destroyed, including 22,000 homes, 4,500 schools, 53 ports and 56 hospitals, and the Santiago airport badly damaged.
• Nepal suffered more secondary effects such as landslides triggered by the earthquake damaging 1500km of roads, debris blocking roads for weeks, which cut off rural communities and slowed relief efforts, and a tsunami triggered by the earthquake devastating coastal towns and destroying ports.
• Emergency services were deployed quickly in Chile after the earthquake.
• The Chilean government immediately distributed 5,000 temporary shelters, and a further 30,000 temporary emergency shelters were built after fundraising after the earthquake in Chile.
• Fires broke out in buildings due to burst pipes and other complications.
• A fire in a chemical plant near Santiago meant many people had to be evacuated.
• 1.4 million people were in need of food, water and shelter after the earthquake in Nepal.
• Over £87 million was raised in aid by donations after the earthquake in Chile.
• Those left stranded by avalanches were rescued by helicopter, and communities cut off by severe landslides were given vital supplies after the earthquake in Chile.
• International aid quickly arrived from the UK, India and China after the earthquake in Chile, bringing search and rescue teams, medical support and essential supplies.
• Power, water and communications were severely affected in Nepal.
• A landslide near Arauco caused damage to infrastructure and blocked roads, trapping people under snow and rubble.
• Within 24 hours, temporary repairs were made to the Route 5 north-south highway in Chile, reconnecting the capital (Santiago) to other areas and allowing response teams to travel to more remote communities.
• Search and rescue teams were sent out to search for and help survivors, and emergency field hospitals were set up to help the injured in Chile.
• The village of Penco was hit by a tsunami.
• Nepal was hit by an earthquake that killed 9,000 people and injured 20,000, affecting 8 million people and leaving 3 million people homeless.
• Temporary shelters were set up for the homeless after the earthquake in Chile.
• Helicopters were used for search, rescue and supply distribution after the earthquake in Chile.
• Many historical sites and landmarks were damaged or destroyed in Nepal.
• Chile and Nepal had different responses to the earthquakes they suffered due to the countries’ different levels of preparedness and wealth.
• The cost of damage in Nepal was estimated at around USD$5 billion.
• Smoke from a fire outside Santiago was seen from space.
• 7,000 schools were destroyed in Nepal, along with 50% of all shops, leading to food and supply shortages.
• Power and water was restored to 90% of homes within 10 days.
• Half a million tents were provided after the earthquake, many from UNICEF.
• 300,000 people fled from the capital, Kathmandu, to seek shelter elsewhere, e.g. with family.
• Over 7000 schools needed to be rebuilt or repaired.
• International aid groups also set up emergency response units for healthcare and emergency supply distribution.
• These tents provided shelter for the homeless, and were also used as temporary classrooms and healthcare facilities as the strong aftershocks prevented people from using buildings.