Natural Disasters in Latin America SSWG5 Analyze human interactions with the world’s environments. SSWG5 (D). Analyze international and varied local governmental responses to natural disasters in countries around the world (e.g., hurricanes, earthquakes, and tsunamis).

Natural Disasters The effect of a natural hazard that impacts the environment, and leads to financial, environmental and/or human losses.

Earthquakes Caused by the tectonic plates colliding. Lead to fires, building collapses and tsunamis Measured by a seismograph Classified by the Richter scale Occur at fault line, near volcanoes and around the Ring of Fire

Chilean Earthquake, 1960 Largest recorded earthquake measured 9.5 on the Richter scale in Chile on May 22, 1960 Led the Chile improving their infrastructure to withstand high magnitude earthquakes

Haitian Earthquake, 2010 7.0 M earthquake in January 2010 followed by 52 aftershocks Left 1 million people homeless and 530,000 dead or injured Haiti’s poor infrastructure caused much of the damage and death

Largest Earthquakes

El Nino and La Nina A warm ocean current that flows off the west coast of South America every few years Changes weather patterns around the world Causes extreme weather like floods, droughts and other weather disturbances Developing countries dependent on agriculture and fishing are most affected

Hurricanes Storm that forms over warm, tropical ocean waters Produce powerful winds, torrential rain, high waves and storm surges Storms start out off the coast of Africa in the Atlantic Ocean and move west toward the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea

Cyclones/ Typhoons Tropical cyclones rotate counterclockwise in the South Pacific and Indian Oceans Typhoons are mature tropical cyclones within the Northwest Pacific Ocean Rotating, organized systems of clouds and thunderstorms Take place over tropical or subtropical waters Once it reaches 74 MPH, it is considered a hurricane

Tsunamis Series of waves that send surges of water, sometimes reaching heights of over 100 feet, onto land Caused by underwater earthquakes Leaves extensive damage Occurs mostly in Pacific Ocean and near Indonesia

Monsoons  A seasonal shift in wind direction that usually brings a different kind of weather Asian Monsoons Asian countries prepare for these disasters yearly, yet many people still die from monsoons every year

Impact of Natural Disasters Human Impact Economic Impact Infrastructure Impact Political Impact