Data collection after the 2010 Maule earthquake in Chile

Abstract

This article presents an overview of the different processes of data recollection and the analysis that took place during and after the emergency caused by the 2010 Maule earthquake in central-southChile. The article is not an exhaustive recollection of all of the processes and methodologies used; it rather points out some of the critical processes that took place with special emphasis in theearthquake characterization and building data. Although there is strong similarities in all of the different data recollection processes after the earthquake, the evidence shows that a ratherdisaggregate approach was used by the different stakeholders. Moreover, no common standards were implemented or used, and the resulting granularity and accuracy of the data was not comparable even for similar structures, which sometimes led to inadequate decisions. More centralized efforts were observed in resolving the emergency situations and getting the country back to normal operation, but the reconstruction process took different independent routes depending on several external factorsand attitudes of individuals and communities. Several conclusions are presented that are lessons derived from this experience in dealing with a large amount of earthquake data. The most importantbeing the true and immediate necessity of making all critical earthquake information available to anyone who seeks to study such data for a better understanding of the earthquake and itsconsequences. By looking at the information provided by all these data, we aim to finally improve seismic codes and engineering practice, which are important social goods