Lessons Learned Limited Chile Quake Damage

Saturday's 8.8-magnitude earthquake in Chile is tied for fifth place on the list of most powerful quakes ever recorded, 500 times more powerful than the one that shook Haiti last month.

Though the death toll is still rising, CBS News correspondent Elaine Quijano reports lessons learned decades ago will prevent the casualties in Chile from reaching anywhere near the estimated 220,000 killed in Haiti.

Unlike in Haiti, the epicenter of Saturday's quake was 70 miles off Chile's coast, far from big cities. Also, the quake struck 22 miles underground.

Another difference here is past experience.

In 1960 Chile was rocked by a magnitude-9.5 earthquake -- the most powerful in recorded history. It killed more than 1,600 people.

Paul Simons, U.S. Ambassador to Chile explained that the experience "motivated the Chileans to build to a more sophisticated standard in the future so the housing stock, the building stock, is very, very earthquake-resistant."

Another earthquake in Chile in 1985, California's 1994 Northridge quake and another in Kobe, Japan in 1995 have all yielded valuable information needed to reinforce building codes.

"In particular one thing that is good about Chilean construction is that they build reinforced concrete buildings with lots of walls entirely made out of concrete," explained Eduardo Miranda, who teaches civil and environmental engineering at Stanford University.

Chilean officials estimate at least half-a-million homes have been severely damaged, with about 2 million people affected. It's a large-scale disaster, but not a repeat of what happened in Haiti.


More Coverage:
Sec. Clinton's Latin America Trip Includes Chile
Google Launches Chile Quake People Finder
Chile Quake Doesn't Compare to 1960 Horror
Tsunami Hits Hawaii, Minimal Damage
Geophysicist: Chile Shock Released 500x Energy of Haiti Quake
Quake Witness: A Roar Like a Freight Train
Images From Chile Earthquake
Video: Chile in a "State of Catastrophe"

[JavMD]

the whole world needs to 're-visit' not only their earthquake building practices, BUT emergency response methods !

As bad as the economy is everywhere, what will be the utimate COST not only in lives but money

[SusanStoHelit]

I live in Southern California - the difference between a country where they have good government regulations, that require buildings to be built to tolerate earthquakes (notice how even that building that is toppled over did not collapse entirely!) - and one where there is no regulation - that's the difference between Chile and Haiti - between horrendous casualties and something far smaller.

I had an addition done recently. We had several inspections - a hassle - but you see Haiti - then you see Chile - and you understand the reason why.

[wardww-2009]

Susan, I am an Aussie who has lived in Brazil for 16 years and you cannot really compare Chile and Haiti. Regulation requires money, lots of it, something that Haiti lacks. Chile is perhaps the most advanced country in South America, whereas Haiti is a backwater forgotten by the world, with nothing to export except poverty. Haiti can only be compared with the majority of African countries (I've been there too and seen the same thing) who lack the same thing, $$$$

[ellevrose]

Chilling News In Chile: The earth has convulsed once again resulting with the loss of lives and the destruction of property.

[ellevrose]

Chilling News in Chile
Once again we experience the earth convulsing resulting with the loss of many lives and the destruction of property. Please keep Chile in your prayers along with the other nations (France, Spain, Germany, & Portugal) that were affected by torrential rain.