1. Natural Disasters in Latin America
SSWG7 d. Explain how geographic features and climatic patterns affect population distribution
SSWG7 e. Analyze the impact of natural disasters and political instability on economic activity in Latin America

2. Natural Disasters
The effect of a natural hazard that impacts the environment, and leads to financial, environmental and/or human losses.

3. Earthquakes Caused by the tectonic plates colliding.
Lead to fires, building collapses and tsunamis
Measured by a seismograph
Classified by the Richter scale
Occur at fault line, near volcanoes and around the Ring of Fire

5. Chilean Earthquake, 1960
Largest recorded earthquake measured 9.5 on the Richter scale in Chile on May 22, 1960
Led the Chile improving their infrastructure to withstand high magnitude earthquakes

6. Haitian Earthquake, 2010
7.0 M earthquake in January 2010 followed by 52 aftershocks
Left 1 million people homeless and 530,000 dead or injured
Haiti’s poor infrastructure caused much of the damage and death

7. El Nino and La Nina
A warm ocean current that flows off the west coast of South America every few years
Changes weather patterns around the world
Causes extreme weather like floods, droughts and other weather disturbances
Developing countries dependent on agriculture and fishing are most affected

9. Hurricanes Storm that forms over warm, tropical ocean waters
Produce powerful winds, torrential rain, high waves and storm surges
Storms start out off the coast of Africa in the Atlantic Ocean and move west toward the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea

10. Hurricane Survival Kit
Water, 1 gallon/person
Food, 3-7 days
First aid and medicine
Blankets and clothes
Flashlight and batteries
Battery powered radio
Tools for repairing storm damage

12. Impact of Natural Disasters
Human Impact
Economic Impact
Infrastructure Impact
Political Impact