Settling In 97inflicted heavy additional damage. Overall about 800 people
were killed. It was a terrifying experience, but the fact that
most new construction survived such a strong earthquake
showed that in general, building codes are effective and
had been followed. Even though infrastructure was quickly
repaired, it will probably take a long time to resolve the
housing problem.
The strongest earthquake ever recorded was the 9.5
quake that hit Valdivia in 1960. It caused giant tidal waves
that swept inland and killed thousands of people. Central
Chile shook in March 1985, killing more than 100 people
and leaving many homeless. Another earthquake hit
Antofagasta in the north in 2007.
If one strikes, the best advice is to brace yourself in a door
frame. Always leave shoes or slippers next to your bed while
sleeping in case the floor becomes covered with broken
glass. If you are in the city, do not run outside as there is
a danger of being hit by falling electrical lines. Buildings
in urban areas are built according to earthquake resistant
codes. In rural areas where houses may be less resilient and
power lines far away, it is best to be outside. It is always
good to have bottled water on hand in case water mains
are ruptured and contaminated. Also, when decorating
your home take care to secure fragile items so that they
do not easily fall during a tremor. Chances are you will not
experience a major earthquake (terremoto) during your stay,
but you will notice the minor tremors (temblor).
POISONOUS SPIDERS
There are two poisonous spiders in Chile, the araña del trigo,
generally found in wheat fields, and the araña de rincón. You may
want to buy a guidebook to help identify these species.HOUSEHOLD ISSUES
House vs. Apartment
The first decision that you must make is whether to live
in a house or an apartment. Many well-off Chileans prefer
to live in apartment buildings because of the security they