|
|
| Hazard Photos Home | View Slides |
El Quindio, Colombia Earthquake, January 25, 1999 |
| The El Quindio earthquake was one of the most destructive natural disasters to have occurred in Colombia in recent years. Long lasting economic and social impacts will continue to be felt in Armenia and other Colombian cities close to the epicenter. The quake turned twenty cities and towns across western parts of the country into a disaster zone, and was felt as far away as Colombia's capital, Bogota, 225 kilometers (140 miles) from the epicenter. The earthquake caused approximately 700 deaths and an additional 2,500 individuals were injured. About 700 buildings were destroyed and 50,000 people were left homeless in Armenia. The three factors that were most responsible for structural damage were presence of faults, infill walls, and "soft" soils. |
Damage to Infrastructure and Public Buildings | |
 |
Damage to Infrastructure and Public Buildings Damage to the Telecom Central Plant in Armenia, Colombia. The telecommunication equipment in Armenia and surrounding communities continued to operate even though the buildings housing the equipment were heavily damaged. Collapsing structures also damaged elevated lines. However, there was no long-term damage, and telephone service resumed in one to four days. Photo credit: A.P. Asfura, EQE International, Inc. |
Damage to Infrastructure and Public Buildings | |
 |
Damage to Infrastructure and Public Buildings The bridge between Pereira and Dos Quebradas, Colombia, was undamaged by the quake. The bridge is a recently built cable-supported bridge with two central towers and a total length of about 1 km. No damage relating to bridge settlements or structures was observed. Photo credit: A.P. Asfura, EQE International, Inc. |
Damage to Infrastructure and Public Buildings | |
 |
Damage to Infrastructure and Public Buildings A view of the severely damaged police station in Armenia where eighteen police officers were killed. The U-shaped station consisted of three separate wings; each was a three-story concrete frame building with masonry infill. Emergency response was impeded by the loss of facilities and personnel. Photo credit: A.P. Asfura, EQE International, Inc. |
Damage to Infrastructure and Public Buildings | |
 |
Damage to Infrastructure and Public Buildings There was extensive damage to the exterior masonry walls of the municipal building. The reinforced concrete frame was moderately damaged, and the interior masonry walls were also damaged. The building was evacuated and could not serve as headquarters for emergency operations. The building was later abandoned. Photo credit: E.A. Fierro, Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc. |
Damage to Infrastructure and Public Buildings | |
 |
Damage to Infrastructure and Public Buildings Collapsed Colegio Rufin school in the Berlin neighborhood of Armenia. This school building was about 75 years old. Students were on semester break and the school buildings were unoccupied when the earthquake occurred. Photo credit: R.C. Bucknam, U.S. Geological Survey |
Residential Damage | |
 |
Residential Damage Although this building across the street from Colegio Rufin school was damaged, it did not collapse. Photo credit: R.C. Bucknam, U.S. Geological Survey |
Residential Damage | |
 |
Damage to Infrastructure and Public Buildings Collapsed house in Barcelona, Colombia. Eleven people were on the second floor during the quake and escaped without injury. Many such houses collapsed without serious injury to the occupants. Photo credit: K.I. Shoaf, UCLA School of Public Health. |
Residential Damage | |
 |
Damage to Infrastructure and Public Buildings Generalized destruction of low-income residential housing in Brasilia, a neighborhood in Armenia. Photo credit: E.A. Fierro, Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc. |
Residential Damage | |
 |
Damage to Infrastructure and Public Buildings Heavily damaged residential section of Armenia. Photo credit: R.C. Bucknam, U.S. Geological Survey. |
Residential Damage | |
 |
Damage to Infrastructure and Public Buildings Heavily damaged narrow multi-story building in Pereira. Photo credit: R.C. Bucknam, U.S. Geological Survey. |
Engineering Elements | |
 |
Engineering Elements This is an example of a steel bar column reinforcement in residential units. These were often inadequate and led to collapse of structures. Photo credit: E.A. Fierro, Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc. |
Engineering Elements | |
 |
Engineering Elements This corner joint was damaged due to lack of reinforcing steel hoops, but still was able to carry vertical loads to prevent structural collapse. Photo credit: E.A. Fierro, Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc. |
Engineering Elements | |
 |
Engineering Elements A Barcelona church's delicate spire remains after much of the rest of the structure failed. This was typical damage to many churches in the region. The roofs collapsed and the unreinforced stone masonry, solid clay brick, or hollow clay tile walls were severely cracked or collapsed. Several of the spires had reinforced concrete corner columns that remained standing after much of the infill had fallen. At this church, the greatest amplitude of vibration occurred in the middle of the tower between the top and its base. Hence the tower top incurred little damage. Other historical buildings suffered heavy damage because of unreinforced spires and masonry walls. Photo credit: E.A. Fierro, Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc. |
Engineering Elements | |
 |
Engineering Elements Typical damage to infilled walls of a structure in the Berlin neighborhood of Armenia. Photo credit: R.C. Bucknam, U.S. Geological Survey. |
Engineering Elements | |
 |
Engineering Elements Damage produced by offset between floors of a structure in the Berlin neighborhood of Armenia. Photo credit: R.C. Bucknam, U.S. Geological Survey. |
Engineering Elements | |
 |
Engineering Elements Damage to bahareque construction (bamboo framework), a traditional local style of construction in Armenia. A resident sits within the collapsed structure. Photo credit: R.C. Bucknam, U.S. Geological Survey. |
Engineering Elements | |
 |
Engineering Elements Note bahareque construction (bamboo framework) and total building failure. Photo credit: R.C. Bucknam, U.S. Geological Survey. |
Engineering Elements | |
 |
Engineering Elements Partial collapse of an infilled wall (in Armenia). Note that the windows are mostly unbroken. Photo credit: R.C. Bucknam, U.S. Geological Survey. |
Temporary Housing | |
 |
Temporary Housing An example of prefabricated temporary housing (the green structure) provided by USAID in Armenia. However, most shelters were tents or lean-tos which residents made of plastic sheeting and materials recovered from the debris. These were set up on sidewalks, roadsides, or parks in the vicinity of their destroyed homes. Photo credit: R.C. Bucknam, U.S. Geological Survey. |
Temporary Housing | |
 |
Temporary Housing Typical damage in the Berlin neighborhood of Armenia. Note temporary housing. Photo credit: R.C. Bucknam, U.S. Geological Survey. |