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Territorial, Population and Economic Analysis of a Potential Volcanic Disaster in the City of Latacunga, Central Ecuador Based on GIS Techniques – Implications and Potential Solutions

Abstract:

The current economic study has been performed about a territorial analysis in the area of potential lahars flows from the Cotopaxi volcano within the city of Latacunga, central Ecuador. We have used as inputs the plan of development and land-use planning 2016–2028, studies concerning this topic and field data obtained from surveys to the affected properties, consulting on variables of typology of the construction, use of the land and economic through a property study. The use of geographic information systems over such information allowed to obtain results in order to determine the human losses by lahar risks, to quantify the surface and estimate the affected population and probable death toll. Furthermore, it determines the economic losses by lahars in Latacunga, and quantify the total value of losses in the event of an eruption of Cotopaxi, and finally, it proposes the relocation in safe areas of the inhabitants at high and medium risk, estimating the cost of relocation versus the application of mitigation measures, specifically engineering works.