Chile earthquake is 500 times stronger in Haiti

The 8.8-magnitude earthquake in Chile is 500 times more powerful than the seismic in Haiti last month. But the lucky thing is that the number of deaths - though still in the process of counting - will be much lower.

Crumbling houses in Conception city, 115 km from the epicenter.Photo: AP .

Haiti earthquakes occur at a shallow and heart-breaking point just a few kilomets away from the busiest urban center of the island nation. The earthquake in Chile occurred in the deeper layers of the earth, the offensive epicenter, and the Chilean coast where the closest to the epicenter was only few people, the Los Angeles Times said.

The world press agreed that Chile was well prepared to respond to earthquakes. Located in the area of ​​frequent seismic events, this mountainous South American country experienced countless shakes, including a strong battle of 9.5 on the Richter scale in 1960 - the most powerful in the world history. . Chilean children are often trained to deal with earthquakes at school. Chilean law requires construction works to resist earthquakes, a network of rescue workers responding very quickly.

Since the 19th century, Haiti has never had an earthquake. Most houses in this country are built with ordinary brick and concrete. This structure makes homes become deadly traps when seismic events occur. The earthquake was only 7 on the Richter scale on January 12, killing more than 200,000 people in the island nation.

In Chile, President Michelle Bachelet appeared in public in the first hour after the earthquake, taking responsibility for directing the rescue work.

US seismic expert Mark Benthien said the 8.8-magnitude magnitude caused "a sharp shake of 512 times" at 7.0 degrees. It produces large cracks on the surface of the earth, with the area being wobbly much bigger. The duration of vibration is also longer.