INIBIOMA   20415
INSTITUTO DE INVESTIGACIONES EN BIODIVERSIDAD Y MEDIOAMBIENTE
Unidad Ejecutora - UE
congresos y reuniones científicas
Título:
Lessons learned from the may 2008 to present eruption of volcan Chaitén, Chile: emergency management, evacuation, welfare and recovery.
Autor/es:
LEONARD, GRAHAM S.; WILSON, THOMAS M.; STEWART, CAROL; JOHNSTON, DAVID; BAXTER, PETER; ROVERE, ELIZABETH I; VILLAROSA, GUSTAVO
Lugar:
Portland, Estados Unidos de America
Reunión:
Congreso; 2009 Gelogical Society of America Annual Meeting; 2009
Institución organizadora:
Geological Society of America
Resumen:
Approximately 6000 people were evacuated in response to the May 2008 eruption of Volcan Chaitén in Chiles Southern Volcanic Zone,
primarily from Chaitén and Futaleufú townships. Most of these people remain displaced in 2009. This paper will discuss results of interviews
with emergency and welfare personnel carried out during our field visit of 23 January-12 February 2009.
In the Chaitén area, earthquakes increased in the days prior to 1 May, causing some local residents to self-evacuate. Early on 2 May as
ashfall was noticed, residents of isolated rural areas evacuated to Chaitén township. After daybreak, pyroclastic flow concerns led to the
evacuation of thousands from the town. With just two gravel road exits, all available ships amassed at Chaitén harbour; private companies
organised boat logistics as government agencies coordinated strategically. Residents commented favourably on the calm, orderly, fast
evacuation, largely completed by the morning of 3 May. Many residents were expecting to be away only a few days and left with few clothes
or personal effects. No pets or possessions were evacuated due to space and time constraints. In Futaleufú, temporary evacuation occurred
around 6 May, in response to ash thickness and health concerns and with uncertainty as to duration and intensity of continuing ashfall.
Discussion of evacuation on health grounds also occurred in Esquel, farther downwind in Argentina.
Provision of welfare soon became critically important as evacuees needed food, accommodation, money, work, communications, and
reassurance about home, with these latter two important factors in reducing traumatic impact. Residents were distressed by images of the
damage to Chaitén township and pets roaming wild, and media management became important. The wellbeing of pets and farm livestock
emerged as a major psychosocial issue.
Initially, Chaitén township was out of bounds to the public. Some residents strongly wished to return, and trips to collect possessions were
organised. A Supreme Court ruling determined that the exclusion zone was unconstitutional, but resettlement remained officially discouraged.
With increasing pyroclastic flow hazard, a site nearby was selected for the relocation of Chaitén town. Ongoing welfare of evacuees has
continued to weigh heavily on emergency personnel interviewed.