Magdalena River

Bogota destructive earthquakes over the past hundred years occurred in the Cordillera Oriental, on the Magdalena River and limits the Llanos foothills. To the south and up to distances of 350 kilometers, there have been earthquakes cause more damage. Bogota has been partially destroyed or damaged not only by earthquakes of distant origin, but also caused by movements in the vicinity (ANDRE: 1884). In relation to the activities inherent in disaster prevention and environmental management, it is inevitable to conclude that in Bogota have not been consistent interagency organizations to carry out such activities. On the other hand, presents a dispersion of entities from various sectors and at different levels have conducted one or more functions of management or control of risk factors and environmental deterioration.

The geological-geophysical model of the urban area of Bogota and its surroundings comprises two sub-basins: 1) Western, located to the north-west, 2) the East, located within the city limits and branched to the north by the hills of Suba, giving rise to two secondary basins, one on the western hills of Suba and another between these and the eastern hills (BERMUDEZ: 1942). Scientifically in Bogota are clearly defined three main seismogenic sources: 1 -. Corresponds to the subduction zone of the Colombian Pacific, which is significant only by the response characteristics of some parts of the subsoil of the city. 2. Corresponds to the source front of the Cordillera Oriental, which is dominant in the case of the city. 3. It is up to local sources Even though the seismic hazard for Bogota does not correspond to extreme values in the country, yes it is a risk because of the high degree of vulnerability of their buildings, which until recent years were built without taking into account the quake-resistance criteria.

The buildings are designed and built before 1984 are highly vulnerable and has been demonstrated during the occurrence of low-intensity earthquakes in other regions of the country (BALTA: 1926). The main reason is that prior to the implementation of the Colombian Code of Earthquake-resistance, there were no clear requirements on techniques, design and earthquake-resistant materials. Incorporating the concepts of development and socio-economic and physical planning and the active participation of communities, is still weak in most District agencies responsible for disaster prevention.

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