Managing cross-border eruptions: Insights from recent crises in Chile and Argentina

Abstract

This paper discusses the challenges and opportunities for cross-border eruption management between Chile and Argentina, focussing on an examination of the 2011–2012 eruption of Cordon Caulle in Chile and other crises between 2012 and 2015. We discuss the differences between Chile and Argentina in volcano monitoring, eruption impacts, eruption management and governance during this timeframe. We also discuss the issues in communication of the risks and the potential for future integration at the scientific level. The study is based on 31 interviews with scientists and local officials in 2014–15 (15 in Chile and 16 in Argentina), a questionnaire survey of 128 Argentinian residents in 2015 and a questionnaire survey of 25 disaster managers and residents of Pucón during the 2015 eruption of Villarrica volcano. We conclude that in 2011–12, there were issues with communication across the border, particularly at the political level, and that there are important ways that the scientific institutions in both countries complement each other.