Why did 524 people die (with 25 missings) in the Chilen earthquake of 2010, whereas the earthquake in Haiti a month earlier, caused an estimated death toll of 100,000 - 160,000? Let's take a look at the parameters of each earthquake.
Chile
Strength: 8.8 on the Richter scale
Location: 3 km (1.9 miles) off the coast of Pelluhue commune in the Maule Region
Time: 3.34 am
Depth: 35 km
Haiti
Strength: 7.0 on the Richter scale
Location: Struck on land approximately 25 kilometers (16 mi) west of Port-au-Prince (the Capital)
Time: 4.53 pm
Depth: 13 kilometers.
Clearly, the Chilean earthquake was stronger than the earthquake in Haiti, but its strength seemed to have been dampened by the depth at which it struck (35 km), as well as the fact that it struck off the coast of Chile. It struck early in the morning (3.34 am) while the majority of the population of Pelluhue were home and asleep. While it struck off the coast, its epicenter was just 1.9 miles from the community.
The epicenter of the earthquake in Port-au-Prince was much further away - 16 miles, but it struck at a shallower depth (13 km), and during a time (4.53 pm) when the majority of the population was out and about.
While the staggering difference in the death tolls could be attributed to the differing circumstances of each earthquake, there is a distinct probability that the standard of building in each of these jurisdictions may have played a role. After all, earthquakes don't kill people, buildings do.
Since the Pelluhue earthquake in 2010, Chile has built up one of the most effective disaster relief infrastructures in the world. It is founded on three pillars - rigorous building codes, evacuation simulations, and preparation. So much so that in 2017 when the Chilean city of Coquimbo was hit by a quake measuring 8.4 on the Richter scale with 4.5 meters high tsunami waves, the death toll was limited to 13. The building codes in Chile require all new buildings to be designed to survive a 9.0-magnitude earthquake. By survive, they mean these buildings may crack, tilt, and/or even be declared unfit for future use after an earthquake; but these buildings must not collapse during an earthquake. As a result of these measures, only 6 of the 6,000 buildings in the affected area were seriously damaged in the 2017 earthquake, of which 4 buildings had to be demolished. What kept the death toll low was not just the building codes themselves, but their enforcement throughout Chile. The fact that none of the multi-story buildings collapsed in that earthquake was a testament to the capacity and thoroughness of local municipal governments who inspect and approve the design and construction of buildings in Chile.
Countries in the Caribbean suffered great devastation in 2017 as a result of Hurricanes Irma and Maria. Hurricane Maria brought to bear 155 mph winds, a 5-foot storm surge, and up to 20 inches of rain on Puerto Rico. Most of the homes in Puerto Rico were built to withstand hurricane-force winds up to 125 mph or a Category 2. Puerto Rico had adopted the International Building Code (IBC) in 2011, which required residences to withstand 140 mph winds or a Category 3 hurricane, but the fact was that many of the buildings were either built before the adoption of the IBC in 2011 or were simply not built to any code at all. These hurricanes exposed our vulnerabilities due to inadequate building codes and also the lack of political will to enforce those codes.
Architects and engineers play an important role in the stability of our built environment not just because they design the buildings, but also because they should be responsible for observing the construction of projects they designed to ensure that the contractors build them according to the approved design. An architect's role extends to every stage of the building's construction from conception to occupancy. Beyond the aesthetics, architects bear the responsibility for ensuring proper fire safety and escape routes, accessibility, green building design, compliance with the budget, adherence to codes and standards, and securing building permits. Architects work closely with experts including structural and civil engineers, and mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) engineers to ensure that the building functions at optimal levels with all systems working in concert.
Equally as important are the building codes and the permitting process. These are the foundations on which the safety of buildings rests. Codes are established specifically to protect the public against natural hazards such as earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, fires, etc. Building regulations specify the standards for safe buildings such as the adequate supply of potable drinking water, the number of restroom facilities, minimum spatial dimensions, lighting, ventilation, and other features which impact the comfort and well-being of the occupants.
Regulations are not limited to just building safety. Local zoning by-laws and/or land-use standards regulate where buildings can be built, occupancy and density, limits on height and site coverage, as well as parking requirements. These regulations govern the planned and orderly development of a town or city and impact the designs developed by architects and engineers.
In countries like Belize where the adoption and enforcement of building codes and building regulations are weak, qualified architects and engineers may be the only check against shoddy design and sloppy construction. To save a few bucks, some clients might choose to bypass hiring qualified architects and engineers and put their faith and trust in draftsmen or contractors. Often, the first time an architect or engineer may see these projects is when they have already failed, or after a client has been ripped off. Cheap construction often comes at a high cost.