Week 13: Costal Hazards

Chile's 4,000 mile long coastline makes it vulnerable to multiple coastal hazards, such as rising sea levels, coastal floods, and coastal erosion. As a result of climate change, Chile is expected to see a 55cm increase in sea level by 2100. This sea level rise can increase the risk of other coastal hazards, such as flooding. 

Additionally, a few coastal storms have affected Chile in recent years. For instance, a 2015 coastal storm caused powerful waves to crash down onto Valparaiso Bay. The waves reached the buildings by the shore, causing damage to the coastal infrastructure. 


Another coastal storm in 2024 brought heavy rains and flooding to much of Chile. The storm brought flooding to the coastal town of Vina del Mar, forcing 150 people to evacuate. 

Chile is also affected by coastline erosion. A study of 45 beaches along Chile's coast revealed that 80% of those beaches have eroded. Storm surges have increased since 2015, which has led to the erosion of Chile's coastline. This erosion can cause up to $8 million in damages. The image below depicts before and after pictures of a beach in Valparaiso and how it is beginning to experience erosion after the 2015 storm. 


Coastal hazards present a set of numerous challenges and threats. They can cause damage to buildings, roads, and coastal communities. Coastal hazards can also harm the local sea life and habitats. Unfortunately, coastal hazards can also put human life in danger. To protect infrastructure, the environment, and human life, strong mitigation efforts must be put into place. The Chilean National Disaster Prevention and Response Service works to minimize the loss of property and life. It provides early warning alerts and guidance in case of an emergency. Volunteers are provided with guides so they can assist their communities during an emergency. Books and other informative material was also printed and distributed across communities. Such material informs citizens on how to act during a coastal hazard event. Other ways to mitigate coastal hazards are by constructing coastal infrastructure. Seawalls, for example, can prevent waves from crashing onto the shore. Native vegetation can also be planted as the plant roots help ground the sand. Some vegetation also serves as a barrier against the water. 

Sources:

https://sealevel.nasa.gov/internal_resources/518/Easter_Chile_combined.pdf

https://www.mdpi.com/2673-4931/29/1/56#:~:text=Coastal%20erosion%20has%20become%20one,increased%20swells%20throughout%20the%20year.

https://thinkhazard.org/en/report/51-chile/CF

https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Damage-to-coastal-infrastructure-in-Valparaiso-Bay-during-the-storm-of-August-8th-2015_fig2_317400497

https://gssb.com.my/how-can-prevent-beach-erosion

https://environment.yale.edu/news/article/yaa-trip-chile-land-of-contrasts#:~:text=Chile's%20long%20coastline%20makes%20it%20vulnerable%20to,inches)%20by%20the%20end%20of%20this%20century.&text=As%20the%20aquifer%20beneath%20solubilizes%20the%20materials%2C,the%20evaporation%2C%20leaving%20salt%20at%20the%20surface.

https://apnews.com/article/chile-storms-flooding-mudslides-rain-8f11899b3c2bd358d71ef1e5ccbc4cc7#

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Service_for_Disaster_Prevention_and_Response#:~:text=The%20National%20Service%20for%20Disaster,of%20Chile's%20emergency%20management%20system.

https://cl.usembassy.gov/disaster-preparedness-u-s-embassy-santiago-chile-february-27-2023/#:~:text=Earthquakes%2C%20tsunamis%2C%20volcanic%20eruptions%2C,for%20these%20types%20of%20events.

https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0760/13/2/88#:~:text=Li%20et%20al.-,2021).,prior%20to%20the%20new%20law.

Comments

  1. Wendy CortezNovember 18, 2024 at 12:19 AM

    I liked how you were very descriptive with your blog. It was interesting to learn that 150 people had to evacuate due to the flooding in Chile.

    ReplyDelete

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