Coastal Hazards

Although tsunamis are rare, a large portion of Ecuador is right on the coast, making the region quite vulnerable to the possible hazard that can cause catastrophic damage. Because of the country's continental platform and location along the pacific rim, it is a frequent target for a tsunami. In total, 3 tidal waves classified as tsunamis have struck Ecuador since 1906, and four people have been killed because of the recent incidents. The worst happened in January of 1958, when a surface wave magnitude 7.6 struck, destroying 30 percent of the region. A total of 111 people were killed, and 45 were injured.

If a major tsunami were to occur, the cost of damage has been estimated to be roughly $441,000,000 - $620,000,000 in total due to the need of resettlement. These costs are also based on the possibility of four different scenarios if a powerful tsunami were to occur. There is a huge possibility that a very large scale earthquake could happen at anytime. This could generate the possibility of a tsunami striking Ecuador, but also other coastal regions thousands of miles away.

Discovering what the government of Ecuador is doing in order to mitigate a coastal casualty is challenging. The main focus of the government is growing the economy, unfortunately at the cost of the environment. Finding information online is the best way to prepare for a tsunami or any coastal hazard. As we have already discussed in class, knowing the possible risk that a tsunami could strike the coast at anytime is very important. Also, it is strongly recommended when visiting Ecuador to check in with hotel, or campground operators for tsunami information and how to be warned when one is likely to happen. The coast can be very dangerous after an earthquake, so it is pertinent to get as far away from the coastline after one occurs.

References:
 https://www.worlddata.info/america/ecuador/tsunamis.php

http://latinamericacurrentevents.com/ecuador-coast-high-risk-of-tsunamis-case-study-of-san-vicente/35308/

http://www.cwarn.org/tsunami/be-prepared

https://www.anywhere.com/ecuador/travel-guide/environmental-issues
 

Extreme Weather in Ecuador

The weather in Ecuador near the coast is often times very nice. In fact the temperature on average is around 77 degrees. But the region is still quite vulnerable to extreme weather especially because it is a coastal region. El Nino events take place quite often and these can lead to other hazards such as floods and landslides which can cause devastating damage. Because of environmental and socioeconomic challenges the country faces, climate change is also of concern because it can cause various different weather patterns. These patterns can lead to events such as droughts, floods, and intense rain fall, creating serious problems for agriculture and keeping crops maintained. There are quite a few studies that show the temperature in Ecuador is likely to increase over time due to climate change, especially because it's location is near the equator. Higher temperatures create a problem for the region because soil in most areas will be much drier, making it even more difficult for farmers to keep up their crops. Recently, Central America (including Ecuador) was hit with one of the worst droughts in its recorded history. The government had to invest more than $1.1 billion to protect citizens from weather-related disasters. Many leaders have made a point that these rapid weather changes must be discussed globally because a weather change in one region means a weather change in another, scary! It is important that authorities come together and have a serious discussion on what preventative matters to take. The time to do this is now.

References:

http://latinamericacurrentevents.com/climate-change-in-ecuador-expected-extreme-weather-events/23685/

https://www.un.org/press/en/2016/ga11851.doc.htm