Week Sixteen

 Final Hazards Report

As we know now, El Salvador is prone to many natural hazards. El Salvador has 2 most common natural hazards, which are volcanic eruptions and earthquakes.  It has 23 active volcanoes which six of those are frequently monitored for seismic activity. Santa Ana, Izalco, San Salvador, San Vicente, Chaparrastique and the Llopango Caldera.  For millions of years, the Caribbean and Cocos tectonic plates have collided beneath El Salvador. This resulting pressure uplifted the Caribbean plate and melted the subducted Cocos rock, sending plumes of steam and mountains of lava to the surface through fissures. Today, El Salvador's rugged backbone can be described as the land of volcanoes, boasting over 100 volcanoes, boasting over 100 volcanoes, many of which can be visited up-close. The Salvadorian government has been closely monitoring its activity to ensure the safety of their people, there’s  not much that can be done because of its location and the amount of volcanoes it has, its just prone to happen. 

 There are partly large earthquakes in El Salvador with strengths of more than 7.0. Due to the special tectonic situation of the country there are more earthquakes than average. El Salvador is classified as a high on earthquake hazard. This means there is more than a 20% chance of a potentially-damaging earthquake to happen in El Salvador. The World bank and The Salvadorian government established the "El Salvador Disaster Risk Management Development Policy Loan" (DLP) with a Catastrophe Deferred Drawdown Option (CAT DDO). 

There aren't many recommendations to be made only because El Salvador is prone to natural hazards all around. The Salvadorian government has been monitoring events closely by having assessment indicators that provide information on available resources and estimated people at risk. Preparedness indicators that will show evacuation maps and outreach activities. Response indicators that have response plans in place and systems to receive alerts as well as disseminate alerts. Lastly, verification and recognitions that help them stay up to date on all plans in place as well as to be able to anticipate. 

All El Salvador is prone to being hit by natural disaster. Some parts more than others, for example, Usulutan, La Libertad, and Sonsonate. These are the parts of El Salvador that would be targeted the most and should be the first to get assisted and provide the most resources. According to UNPD reports, 88.7 Percent of El Salvador's territory is susceptible to severe impacts of natural disasters and approximately 95.4 percent of El Salvador's population is at some risk. USAID has a robust history of involvement in disaster relief in El Salvador. Over the last 30 years, USAID has approximately $400 million to rehabilitate and rebuild key infrastructure damaged by natural disasters. 

Based on all the information of the regions of El Salvador, anywhere you live you are prone to having natural disasters. Santa Ana, El Salvador, however, seems like it would be a good location because the chances of it having natural disasters are slimmed compared to other places. Flooding may occur because of heavy rain but its seasonal. It’s considered a safe city and cost of living is low. Overall the country of El Salvador is very beautiful and like any other place, natural disasters can happen. 

sources:

https://landedtravel.com/destinations/land-of-volcanoes-el-salvador/#:~:text=For%20millions%20of%20years%2C%20the,to%20the%20surface%20through%20fissures.

https://www.worldnomads.com/travel-safety/central-america/el-salvador/el-salvador-natural-disasters#:~:text=El%20Salvador%20is%20prone%20to,hurricanes%2C%20and%20has%20active%20volcanoes.

https://www.usaid.gov/el-salvador/our-work/disaster-response

http://itic.ioc-unesco.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=2096&Itemid=2416

https://www.acaps.org/country/el-salvador/crisis/complex-crisis