Natural Disasters.

Earthquakes
Chile is an active earthquake zone with recent years seeing an increase in high
magnitude quakes and the subsequent damage and destruction that inevitably
follows. As an example, in early 2010 a massive earthquake, measuring 8.8 on the
Richter scale hit approximately 300km south of the country's capital Santiago.
Hundreds of people lost their lives and countless others were injured. The quake
also caused widespread damage to buildings and roads, and triggered several
tsunamis which heavily damaged the coastal areas of the country.

Volcanoes
Chile is home to several active volcanoes, some of
which threaten to erupt at any time. For instance, the
Chaiten volcano, located in the Los Lagos region
south of Santiago, remains under close watch for
threat of volcanic activity and several areas have
been restricted as a result.
That same volcano erupted in 2008 and resulted in the evacuation of Chaiten and
the surrounding areas due to dangerous ash fall. Another recent flare-up involving
the Llaima volcano, located in the Conguillo National Park caused the government
to restrict access to the park and surrounding areas as a precaution.

Geysers
Some of the most incredible natural wonders found in Chile are the many geysers
and thermal sources that are located throughout the country.
But as fascinating as they are, geysers are also extremely dangerous and should
be treated with the utmost respect. The land formations in between the thermal
sources (called bridges) can be particularly hazardous since they are not always as
solid as they appear, but are instead made up of thin layers of carbonate which can
easily break when stepped on.

Falling into one of these craters can have devastating results. In 2000, a tourist
visiting from France mistakenly stepped on one of these unstable bridges trying to
get close enough to take a video. He fell into the boiling water below and perished.
Another thing to be cautious of when near these dangerous craters is the hot vapor
that they emit. The steam can cause a thick fog making it difficult to see where you
are stepping. An unfortunate Spanish tourist learned this lesson the hard way when
his glasses fogged up from the steam and he continued walking blindly, stepping
directly into the open hole of a geyser.
Additionally, some geysers contain dangerous corrosive water, which can burn and
virtually dissolve anything that comes into contact with it, including clothing and
shoes. It's definitely not something you want to experience, so stay clear of these.
Adding to the danger of the unstable ground and hot clouds of hazardous vapor is
the fact that the closest hospital is approximately 5 hours away in Calama. If you
are fortunate enough to survive a dive into one of the local geysers, chances are
you may not make the long trip to get medical treatment, so be exceptionally
careful when visiting these formidable landmarks.

Other dangers
The weather in Chile can also pose a possible threat to unsuspecting and illprepared visitors. The Atacama Desert is an area that can be enjoyed year round,
but visitors should be adequately prepared for the extreme temperatures that can
occur there.
Days are long and brutally hot during the summer and can easily cause conditions
such as heat exhaustion or sunstroke if not properly prepared for. Conversely,
temperatures in the higher altitude areas can drop severely when the sun goes
down. Smog can also be a problem during winter months because of the health
risks associated with it. Santiago is especially susceptible to the issue, often
declaring pre-emergency and emergency states when the degree of smog reaches
a dangerous level. Anyone suffering from ill health, or traveling with children or
elderly should avoid visiting the city during these periods.