Sofia J's Blog

Chile experiences many forms of extreme weather, such as thunderstorms and heatwaves. In recent years though, droughts have presented a serious threat. Chile has been in a major drought for the last 15 years because rainfall amounts have been at historic lows. The World Resources Institute even ranked Chile as one of the most water stressed countries in the world.  At the end of 2021, over half of Chile's population was suffering from severe water scarcity. Rural areas were especially affected. Chileans had to rely on emergency tankers to bring them drinking water. Rural citizens and farmers also expressed the concern that they'll soon run out of drinking water for themselves and their farm animals. Below is an image of a water reservoir in Coquimbo as of March 2024, which has reached record breaking lows. Lakes across Chile have tried up as well. The Penuelas Lake, for example, once supplied water to almost 2 million people in the Valparaiso region, but is now almost completel...

 Mass wasting occurs when rocks, soil, or debris move downward. Landslides, mudslides, rock slides, and avalanches are some examples of mass wasting events. Mass wasting events don't necessarily need to have a trigger; just gravity can be the cause of one. Sometimes, heavy rainfall, flooding, or earthquakes can cause a mass wasting event.  Chile has experienced some mass wasting events before. Chile has over 1,250 rivers and rugged terrain, leaving it vulnerable to natural disasters such as mass wasting events.The map below shows that many places in Chile are at a high risk of a mass wasting event.  One example of a mass wasting event in Chile occurred in 2017. Chile suffered from a devastating mudslide in Villa Santa Lucia. Half the town was destroyed, and many people were killed. This mudslide was caused by heavy rainfall and a flooded river.  Mass wasting events can be devastating, as they can damage infastructure and even be life threatening. Although mass wastin...