360 AZSTNUAL REPORT SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, 196 2 



The filial count on the dead, missing, and homeless is not yet in, but 

 it is clear that well over 1,000 people were killed, mostly by the tsun- 

 ami. Several hundred people are still missing, and well over 400,000 

 new houses are needed. The basic industries in many parts are dam- 

 aged, and years will be required to complete the reconstruction. 

 Damage totaling over $417,000,000 (U.S.) was done, according to a 

 report issued by the Corporacion de Fomento in mid-August 1960. 



The complications of an earthquake of this extent are unforeseeable 

 in total, but it may be learned what needs to be done to prepare for 

 such a disaster. The past is, in this case, the key to the future. 



Sorely needed public services failed, and makeshift measures had 

 to be adopted. Among the most important losses were the following : 



1. The potable water supplies for Concepcion, Valdivia, Osorno, 

 and Puerto Montt were destroyed in whole or m part. Water was 

 delivered by firemen (pi. 9, fig. 2). Recourse was had to old wells, 

 small springs, creeks, and other sources of questionable quality. Fil- 

 tered river water was subsequently furnished in the larger towns. 



2. Electric power was unavailable for at least a week in the afore- 

 mentioned cities, and for months in outlying towns. 



3. Sewage systems were destroyed in part in all the above cities. 



4. Medical services were interrupted by serious damage to the hos- 

 pitals and concomitant loss of equipment, making necessary the intro- 

 duction of portable hospital units. Most victims were killed outright. 

 Very few were injured and, fortunately, no epidemic began, primarily, 

 because of cold weather and a resistant population. These factors 

 reduced the need for medical care. 



5. Roads and railroads were severely damaged. About 500 km. of 

 the Longitudinal Highway will have to be rebuilt because of the fail- 

 ure of subgrades and fills. The railroad was interrapted in various 

 places, but most severely between Osorno and Puerto Montt. Over 

 6 months were needed to put it in good condition ; meanwhile, heavy 

 truck traffic all but destroyed the remains of the roads, and the small 

 waterlogged airfields were soon made into dangerous expanses of 

 mud. Bridge damage was extensive. 



6. Dock facilities were largely destroyed by the maremoto, from 

 Lebu, where the docks were lifted out of the water, to Castro where 

 land-sliding destroyed most installations. 



7. A breakdown in communications was brought about by the loss 

 of electricity and damage to installations, making accurate reporting 

 of conditions impossible. The loss of the public press prevented the 

 spread of accurate news, a most necessary service. Rumors and civic 

 unrest were most notable in places without newspaper or radio. Re- 

 instatement of communications rapidly alleviated these conditions. 



8. Municipal and governmental leadership is the most important 

 loss of all. Plans should be made ahead of time, delegating certain 



