Thread: Earthquake Proof

Hi,

Given the recent earthquake, I started thinking...
Even though Panama City is hit by fairly low quakes, the relative regularity has me asking myself...what sort of code are the buildings constructed to? None?
If we get some 5+ a few times over a period of 20years or so, will these newer high rise buildings start developing problems? I'm not worried about any big ones here given the number of "stress relieving" quakes that occur and the distance of panama city to the boundaries of the panama plate, but I can't think of a reason to assume it's all good. These things happen irregularly and the infrastructure is quite recent here.

The 6.0 that hit Panama a few months ago cracked some of the structures. As far as "earthquake proof", not sure if it is possible? I do know the original church in Las Tablas was destroyed by an earthquake. That was over 100 years ago but, just an fyi.

Vancouver actually builds "quake proof" buildings.
New Earthquake-Resistant Design Pulls Buildings Upright After Violent Quakes | Popular Science
Panama? I don't think so... They barely buildings that meet basic safety codes.

If you consider the "Heisenberg principle", just because there hasn't been an earthquake before, it doesn't mean there can't be one tomorrow.
That's the nature of nature...

Matt

A country that doesn't even have proper traffic lights and has garbage everywhere ,do you really think it would bother enforcing earthquake proof buildings.

Originally Posted by HOSEM1

A country that doesn't even have proper traffic lights and has garbage everywhere ,do you really think it would bother enforcing earthquake proof buildings.

LOL. All he had to do is take a look at those high rises in "El Chorrillo". My first time seeing that barrio I thought to myself, got damn that is the roughest neighborhood I have ever seen in my life and those 20 storie buildings look like a good breeze could bring them down easily

Originally Posted by No-Non-Sense-Matt

Panama? I don't think so... They barely buildings that meet basic safety codes.

If you consider the "Heisenberg principle", just because there hasn't been an earthquake before, it doesn't mean there can't be one tomorrow.
That's the nature of nature...

Matt

I have always been curious how much thought is put into building all of these skyscrapers? I always felt the "craftsmanship" in Panama was probably a little behind the times.

Thanks Panamax, I'm looking through that now. I've seen about 6-7 properties now and it's notable that the older ones (10-14) that were high rises obviously had recent renovations and/or excellent internal climate control running 24/7. A couple older buildings I saw were built like tanks, solid brick and cement. 22 and 32 years old. Then there are the horror stories I hear about the newer buildings, only a year or two into their active life. Apparently the recent rumble did all kinds of damage to some pricey places in Pacifica. I like the tax exemption...that's a lot of bread over 20 years even if they don't raise the rates along the way but I'm seriously considering an older solid property. The taxes are low, the maintenance fees are about the same for the well maintained places but I know they're not going to jump after being transferred to some other company. They're not generally as nice in layout, amenities or rental value...but sounds like everyone buying a new place is gambling real loose.

I actually like the older buildings and apartments in El Cangrejo. They actually have some warmth, feel, and originality. Much of the older stuff is also a lot bigger in sq meters than the modern stuff. Most of the older buildings are missing swimming pools and gyms but if needed you can get memberships at places such as the Veneto.