Posts

‘final hazards report’

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Main natural hazards In Colombia Earthquakes Earthquakes occur in Colombia due to its location along the Pacific Ring of Fire, which is an area of intense seismic activity. Colombia is situated where several tectonic plates meet, including the Nazca plate, the Caribbean Plate, and the South American Plate. The interaction between these plates creates seismic activity, resulting in earthquakes. The subduction of the Nazca Plate beneath the South American Plate is one of the main causes of earthquakes in Colombia. This subduction zone , known as the Colombia-Ecuador Trench, can generate powerful earthquakes. Earthquakes in Colombia are a priority because they pose significant risks to the safety and well-being of the population. Colombia is located in a seismically active region, and earthquakes can occur with varying magnitudes. These seismic events can cause widespread damage to infrastructure, homes, and other buildings, leading to injuries and loss of life. Addressing the earthquake ...

Colombia's Weather

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 Colombia's Weather Colombia experiences a variety of extreme weather conditions due to its diverse geography. It can range from tropical rainforests to high altitude mountains, resulting in varying temperatures,  rainfall, and humidity throughout  the country. Colombia's weather can be quite fascinating. In some regions, you'll find hot and humid conditions, especially in the coastal areas. On the other hand, higher altitude areas, like the Andes Mountains, can have cooler temperatures and more frequent rainfall. It's this diversity that adds to the charm and uniqueness of Colombia's climate. In an article called "Colombia Weather" it mentions " Colombia is located near the equator so it does not have extreme variations in temperature, although there is a wet and dry season. The climate changes with the altitude, hotter at sea level and cooler at higher elevations, with some peaks bearing snow year round. Temperatures below 2,953 feet average between...

Colombia's Mass Wasting Hazards

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  Colombia's landslides/Mudslides Colombia experiences mass wasting hazards such as landslides and mudslides. These natural events can pose significant risks to communities and infrastructure. A majority of the landslides that occur in Colombia are in the western region of the country. A devastating landslide that happened in 2017   that occurred on the first of April in Mocoa, Putumayo. Heavy rains are what triggered the flash floods and landslides that killed over  254 people, injured 332, and left 70 missing. Soldiers, police officers, and red cross members worked side by side with the citizens  to try to rescue survivors. Many were left with nothing, their houses and livelihoods were all destroyed. The government has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on temporary housing for those who have lost their house during the devastating landslide. This catastrophe is remembered as the third largest in Colombian history.  According to an Arti...

Colombia's Volcanic Activity

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  Colombia's Volcanic Activity With volcanoes in Colombia there has been a lot of eruptions in the past years. The worst volcanic eruption in terms of deaths, destroyed houses and financial damage s happened  on 11/13/1985 with the eruption of "Ruiz" , over 23,000 people died.  Colombia is located on the Pacific Ring of fire, which stretches for about 40,000 km around the Pacific Ocean. Here the tectonic plate of the pacific collides with several surrounding continental plates and seismic tremors occur again and again. Most of the worlds volcanic eruptions, which are also the most severe occur in this zone.  Preparing For An Eruption   The Nevado del Ruiz volcano in Colombia is one of the most active volcanoes in the Americas and killed tens of thousands of people when it last erupted in the 1980s. As of May 1, the volcano has been especially active. Here’s what we know and what the IFRC network is doing to prepare for an eruption. To prepare for this risk,...

Colombia Is No Stranger To Earthquakes

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  Colombia is no stranger to earthquakes, In 1983 a magnitude of 5.5 earthquake killed around an estimate of 380 people, and injured a further of 2,000 people and left 10,000 people homeless. Then over a decade later, near the city of Armenia anther earthquake hit. This time it was 6.2 magnitude  and it killed about 2,000 people and caused about $1.2 billion in damages.  The Colombian authorities have recognized this threat, and have taken measures to reduce its potential impact. Colombia passed several codes for seismic-resistant buildings. Directives to improve excising construction with the aid of subsidies is another measure, as well as redevelopment initiatives and in some cases even free housing programs.  https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2015/10/how-colombia-is-preparing-for-its-next-earthquake/

The Nazca Plate Creates Deadly Earthquakes

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   The Nazca Plate has three triple Junctions The Nazca Plate is a small oceanic plate of the coast of South America. It has five triple junctions where three different plates come together. It also produced the largest earthquake ever recorded by seismographs in 1960.   The Formation of the Andes Mountains The Andes Mountains have formed on the continental side of the subduction zone that lies between Nazca crustal plate and the South American Plate. The Peru-Chile Trench separates the two plates. The Eastward Motion of the Nazca Crustal Plate The absolute eastward motion of the Nazca crustal plate is one of the fastest of any tectonic plate on Earth. The absolute motion is 3.7 cm/yr eastward.  The two largest  Earthquakes In Recent Past Massive earthquakes that have occurred due to subduction of the Nazca Plate beneath the South American Plate. The May 22, 1960 earthquake near Valdivia was 9.5 on the moment magnitude scale. The February 27, 2010 earthquak...

Adrian's Blog

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  Columbia  Colombia is nicknamed the "gateway to South America" because it sits in the northwestern part of the continent where South America connects with Central and North America. It is the fifth largest country in Latin America and home to the world's second largest population of Spanish-speaking people. Colombia is a land of extremes. Through its center run the towering, snow-covered volcanoes and mountains of the Andes. Tropical beaches line the north and west. There are deserts in the north and vast grasslands, called Los Llanos, in the east. Dense forests fill Colombia's Amazon Basin, which takes up nearly the country's entire southern half. In northwest Colombia, a warm, wet, jungle-filled area called the Chocó reaches across the Panama border. Hazards, disasters and catastrophes are all related to events that pose risks or threats, but they differ in terms of severity and impact. Hazards refer to potential sources of danger or harm, such as natural phen...