The history of Costa Rica reports that every 40 years an important earthquake shakes the South Zone of the country. The last seismic event was 34 years ago, so national scientists estimate that in the next decade there would be a seismic event in the region.
The authorities of the National Commission of Emergency (CNE) and the municipalities of the zone indicate that the country is definitely prepared to face this situation.
OVSICORI seismologist Marino Protti explained that the earthquake is a process that must occur and for two years he has been studying the region to know the areas with the greatest accumulation of energy.
Although an exact date is unknown, the projection is for to happen in five or eight years.
The zone of rupture will be smaller than the one tha in Nicoya. Therefore, the earthquake will be of a smaller magnitude, but always important,”
commented Protti.
Protti recalled that the 2012 earthquake was anticipated by OVSICORI scientists and allowed the population to prepare and served as an learning experience for the national authorities.
Sigifredo Pérez, chief of operations of the CNE explained that Costa Rica is a country that reports up to 5 thousand earthquakes per year.
For this reason, emergency plans have been designed that include the location of temporary accommodation, accounting for sensitive infrastructure and the opening of warehouses with supplies to respond to the population in case the phenomenon occurs.
The experience with the Nicoya earthquake allowed us to work with the municipalities on infrastructure issues and with workshops that allowed the consequences of the earthquake did not translated into direct victims,”
said Pérez.
The mayor of the canton of Osa, Alberto Cole, was emphatic in pointing out that at the municipal level, efforts have been made to inform the population about the possibility of an earthquake of great magnitude in the South Zone.
The right thing has been done. For example, the seismic code is fundamental and we have been very strict in complying with requirements in the area,”
said Cole.