Quito Airport's Resilience Against Earthquakes

Ecuador is prone to earthquakes due to its location on the Pacific Ring of Fire, an area with high seismic activity. The country experiences numerous earthquakes each year, with varying magnitudes. Quito, the capital of Ecuador, has experienced several earthquakes over the past 250 years, with ground-shaking intensities strong enough to make standing difficult. In this context, it is essential to consider the impact of earthquakes on critical infrastructure, such as airports, and the measures in place to mitigate earthquake risk.

The 2016 earthquake in Ecuador caused damage to the control tower of an airport in Guayaquil

On April 16, 2016, a 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck Ecuador, causing widespread damage and casualties. The earthquake was centred approximately 27 km (17 mi) from the towns of Muisne and Pedernales and 170 km (110 mi) from the capital, Quito. The quake resulted in at least 676 deaths and over 16,600 injuries, with the regions of Manta, Pedernales, and Portoviejo accounting for over 75% of total casualties.

Manta, a major port city, was particularly hard hit, with its central commercial shopping district, Tarqui, completely destroyed. The city's airport also suffered severe damage, with the control tower bearing the brunt of the impact. An Air Force officer was injured in the incident, and the airport was forced to close.

The 2016 earthquake in Ecuador caused significant damage to critical infrastructure in Manta, including the control tower of the airport. The Air Force officer's injury and the airport's closure underscore the impact of the quake on this vital transportation hub. The airport's closure likely disrupted travel and relief efforts in the aftermath of the earthquake.

The earthquake's impact extended beyond Manta, with Guayaquil, approximately 300 km (190 mi) from the epicenter, also experiencing significant damage. An overpass collapse killed a driver, and the José Joaquín de Olmedo International Airport faced communication issues, leading to its closure.

The 2016 Ecuador earthquake caused extensive damage, including to the control tower of an airport in Manta, located in Guayaquil. The airport's closure and the injury to an Air Force officer highlight the significant impact of the earthquake on this critical transportation hub.

Quito has a very high level of seismic activity, with 2 quakes above magnitude 7 since 1900

Quito, the capital of Ecuador, has a very high level of seismic activity. Since 1900, the city has experienced at least two earthquakes with magnitudes above 7.0, indicating that large earthquakes of this magnitude occur infrequently, approximately once every 60 to 65 years. The high seismic activity in Quito is due to its location within the Northern Volcanic Zone, where the subduction of the Nazca plate beneath the South American plate generates significant tectonic activity.

Ecuador's active tectonics are influenced by the subduction of the Nazca plate, which is moving at a rate of 7 cm/year towards the east-northeast. This subduction process results in various types of earthquakes, including those that occur along the plate boundary, within the plates themselves, and near active volcanoes. The country's location along the Pacific Ring of Fire further contributes to its high seismic activity.

Quito has a long history of significant earthquakes. Over the past 250 years, the city has experienced several earthquakes with ground-shaking intensities strong enough to make standing difficult. Notably, in 1998-1999, the city experienced a swarm of relatively small earthquakes associated with the Guagua Pichincha volcano. Additionally, in 2016, an earthquake with a magnitude of 7.8 struck Ecuador, causing severe damage and killing nearly 700 people. This earthquake was centred approximately 170 km from Quito, and the city felt strong tremors.

To mitigate the risk of future earthquakes, local leaders in Quito have developed and implemented a comprehensive earthquake risk reduction program. The Quito Earthquake Risk Management Plan involved scientists, engineers, and planners who assessed the city's vulnerability to earthquakes and designed sustainable programs to reduce potential damage. The plan included initiatives such as the Quito School Earthquake Safety Project, which created retrofit designs for high-risk public schools, and the establishment of an Earthquake Safety Advisory Board to monitor and update the risk reduction program regularly.

In 1992, a project assessed the earthquake hazard and risk to Quito, and designed programs to mitigate the risk

In 1991, Quito, the capital of Ecuador, was a highly populated and developed city. Over the previous 250 years, the city had experienced several earthquakes with ground-shaking intensities so strong that standing became difficult. All of these events had occurred when Quito was significantly less populated. Modern Quito needed an assessment of its risk and a plan to reduce that risk in order to prepare for a major earthquake.

In September 1992, an eighteen-month project began to assess the earthquake hazard and risk to Quito and to design sustainable programs to mitigate that risk. A multi-national group of scientists, including seismologists, geologists, soils engineers, structural engineers, and city planners, developed, assembled, and analyzed the technical data. They estimated three likely future earthquake events in Ecuador, including the distribution of earthquake damage in Quito.

The team then used this information to design an earthquake scenario written in non-technical language. This raised public awareness of the earthquake threat and motivated government officials, business leaders, and community leaders to develop mitigation projects. An Earthquake Safety Advisory Board was established to develop, implement, monitor, and regularly update a comprehensive earthquake risk reduction program for Quito.

The project also led to the initiation of the Quito School Earthquake Safety Project in December 1994. This project created retrofit designs for a representative sample of high-risk public schools in Quito. The relatively inexpensive process of identifying high-risk schools and designing retrofits generated sufficient local funding to pay for retrofit building construction.

The interest generated by the Earthquake Risk Management and School Retrofit Projects led to national legislation in Ecuador that significantly strengthened building codes for public and private structures. The 1992 project was thus a crucial step in preparing Quito for future earthquakes and ensuring the safety of its residents.

The 2016 earthquake in Ecuador caused widespread damage, with over 700,000 people needing assistance

On April 16, 2016, a 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck Ecuador, causing widespread damage and leaving over 700,000 people in need of assistance. The earthquake was centred approximately 27 km (17 mi) from the towns of Muisne and Pedernales and 170 km (110 mi) from the capital, Quito, where it was strongly felt.

The earthquake caused extensive damage to the Manabí province, with Manta, Pedernales, and Portoviejo accounting for over 75% of the total casualties. The central commercial shopping district of Manta, Tarqui, was completely destroyed, and many structures collapsed across the province, some even hundreds of kilometres from the earthquake's epicentre.

Six homes collapsed in Quito, and many others lost power. However, there were no immediate reports of damage or injuries in the capital, which was 173 kilometres (108 miles) from the earthquake's epicentre. The city's municipal government later announced that power had been restored, and there were still no reports of casualties.

The earthquake caused a control tower at the airport in Manta to collapse, injuring an air traffic control worker and a security guard. The airport was forced to close due to the damage.

The total death toll from the earthquake reached 676, with more than 16,600 people injured. The earthquake was the worst natural disaster to strike Ecuador since the 1949 Ambato earthquake, with over 300 fatalities in Manta and Portoviejo alone.

The 2016 earthquake in Ecuador damaged water, sanitation, and healthcare facilities

On April 16, 2016, a 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck Ecuador, causing severe damage and widespread devastation. The impact of the earthquake extended to water, sanitation, and healthcare facilities, exacerbating the challenges faced by those affected.

The earthquake's epicenter was located just 17 miles from the town of Muisne in the Manabí province, with the provinces of Manabí, Esmeraldas, Santa Elena, Guayas, Santo Domingo, and Los Rios bearing the brunt of the disaster. The tremors were felt as far away as neighboring countries such as Colombia and Peru, underlining the magnitude of the event.

In the aftermath of the earthquake, it was evident that critical water, sanitation, and healthcare facilities had sustained significant damage. The impact on these essential services compounded the difficulties faced by those who had already lost their homes and loved ones. The World Vision reported that an estimated 35,000 houses were destroyed or damaged, leaving a staggering 100,000 people displaced and in urgent need of shelter.

The earthquake's force was particularly concentrated in the areas of Manta, Pedernales, and Portoviejo in Manabí. In Manta, a major port city, the World Vision staff assessed the damage in the business district, finding extensive destruction. The central commercial shopping district, Tarqui, was completely flattened, highlighting the severity of the earthquake's impact on the local community and economy.

The healthcare system did not escape the wrath of the earthquake either. The collapse of two hospitals in Portoviejo and Chone left the medical infrastructure in a precarious state, hindering the ability to provide adequate care to the injured and vulnerable. This situation was further exacerbated by the damage to water and sanitation facilities, creating a perfect breeding ground for waterborne diseases and hindering basic hygiene practices, which are crucial in the aftermath of natural disasters.

The Ecuadorian government, led by President Rafael Correa, sprang into action, declaring a state of emergency and deploying over 13,500 military personnel and police officers to assist in rescue and relief operations. The focus on saving lives and providing essential services to those affected was paramount, with President Correa acknowledging the need for billions of dollars in reconstruction funds.

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