http://www.economist.com/world/americas/displaystory.cfm?story_id=15591569&source=features_box_main
In the aftermath of the earthquake in Haiti a huge 8.8-magnitude earthquake hit Chile early on Saturday February 27, 2010. Michelle Bachelet, Chile's President, estimates that 1.5 million homes were damaged and 2 million people were affected by the quake. There are collapsed buildings and roads. There is also a prison wall that collapsed allowing 300 inmates to escape of which only 60 have been recaptured. This earthquake, though larger than Haiti's earthquake,has had a lesser impact on the country. Chile is a much more wealthy nation than Haiti and has a much better infrastructure. Unlike in Haiti the people in Chile will be able to receive medical care rather quickly.
Chilean earthquakes are not rare. Chile lies along the Pacific “ring of fire" which is one of the most seismically active zones. In the past 37 years Chile has experienced 13 earthquakes with a 7-magnitude or greater. This fat has made Chile a durable place for earthquakes. The building codes are very strict and Chile has the money to enforce these codes, unlike Haiti. How will this earthquake affect the economy? I think that this earthquake will make a dent in the Chile economy. Many businesses will be out of business for weeks. On the other hand. the many collapsed buildings and roads could call for an increase in jobs.
Vocabulary:
Michelle Bachelet- Chilean President
Pacific "ring of fire"- "is an arc stretching from New Zealand, along the eastern edge of Asia, north across the Aleutian Islands of Alaska, and south along the coast of North and South America. The Ring of Fire is composed over 75% of the world's active and dormant volcanoes."
Infrastructure- the fundamental facilities and systems serving a country, city, or area, as transportation and communication systems, power plants, and schools
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