Chile aware of Tsunami and earthquake dangers

While a catastrophic tsunami or earthquake is something no country wants to experience, these sorts of natural disasters are eventuallities which Chileans have some provisions for.

I have visited Chile on two occasions and was told in Santiago back in 2004 that a big earthquake in the region was overdue.
The last one they experienced measured over 9 on the Richter Scale. It was the biggest quake on record in the world.

When I visited in 2008, I noticed on almost every street corner of one of the northern Chilean coastal towns, Tsumani warning signs with arrows pointing to higher ground.


Why is it then that warnings on Australian beaches go unheeded by some brave/foolish beachgoers?
The cost of installing these systems must be enormous but some folk treat the early warnings almost as a joke. And some are disappointed if they do not see the catastrophic tsunami wave.

This is the second quake in a short period of time (Haiti only a few weeks ago). Obviously some of the tectonic plates are on the move?

The big question is - is California due for the big one?
I've never been to Califormia (apart from changing planes in LA) but I doubt they have warning signs on the street corners - and if they do, will people take heed of them when the sirens sound?

Earthquake hits Haiti

News of the humanitarian disaster in Haiti is still unfolding and it will be weeks before the final death toll is known.
Doctors without Borders or Medicins sans Frontieres is the organisation which I support on a monthly basis and the organisation which is sending a 50-bed portable hospital to Haiti to assist with the disaster relief.

If you have not heard of this organisation here is a little of its history.

In 1970 French doctors who had worked in Biafra joined forces Raymond Borel's group called Secours Médical Français ("French Medical Relief") in response to the 1970 Bhola cyclone, which killed at least 500,000 in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh). The aim was to recruit doctors to provide aid to victims of natural disasters.

On 20 December 1971, the two groups of colleagues merged to form Médecins Sans Frontières.
MSF’s first mission as an independent aid organization was to the Nicaraguan capital, Managua, where a 1972 earthquake had destroyed most of the city and killed between 10,000 and 30,000 people. The organization is today known for its quick response in an emergency.

If you live in Australia, you can contribute through the Austalian office on 1300 136061 or contact them through their website at Medicins sans Frontieres