Das Erdbeben in Ecuador vom 5.3.1987 und seine geographischen Auswirkungen

Abstract

The centre of the earthquake was located on the eastern slope of the Cordillera Real in north-eastern Ecuador in the precincts of the volcano El Reventador. The strength of the earthquake was 7 on the Mercalli-Scale. Direct impacts in form of spontaneous mass movements like rockfalls, land slides and mud flows destroyed the natural landscape as well as the settlements and caused damages to the infrastructure, e.g. to bridges, roads and pipelines. Heavy rains transformed huge masses of loose volcanic material into mudstreams, which lead to disastrous floods and displacements of material within the valleys. According to estimates, about 1000 people lost their lifes. Since the earth quake affected the road-network as well as the pipeline, the Ecuadorian economy was severely damaged. Three regions are characterized, in which the effects of the earthquake differ in form and extent. Moreover, geologic/geomorphologic explanations as well as economic consequences for the whole country are discussed.