INDUCED SEISMICITY AND MENTAL HEALTH IN AREAS OF COLOMBIA: FAR FROM RHETORIC, CLOSER TO REALITY

During the past five years induced seismicity increasing, given the methodologies used, for the extraction of non-renewable natural resources has been creating restlessness and uncertainty in the population of two geographic different areas in Colombia analyzed in field and literature from 2014. Found effects on the mental health of these resident groups in an area of secondary recovery of hydrocarbons and in an area of open-pit mining. Meta Department where it is produced (known in some US States) injection-induced seismicity are presented mental health impacts as well: a) arouses the greed of some community leaders, b) considers to be detrimental to groundwater, c) drought by overuse of surface water, d) inability of the social collective to this drama and e) insufficient attention to their claims of Governments and disrespect to their mental health. Cesar Department had been sporadic natural seismicity very low and appears a seismicity by explosions before bad mining tillage where impacts on mental health are a) fear and uncertainty for a new event, b) fear of negative air pollution to their breath, sight, and smell among others. They do not show expectations of greed, groundwater, or drought.

Given that ignored the so-called ethics which States that a nation's general interest should prevail over the particular interest, methods of extraction of non-renewable natural resources authorized by geologists should be evaluated previously by sociologists and physicians, to achieve equilibrium in geology and health, as well as in Geo ethics. The current destruction of atmosphere Biosphere, hydrosphere and lithosphere in Colombia and other countries in South America should alert the EPA environmental protection agency to prevent the destruction of the planet and the mental health of millions whose are in need of public policies including implementation of Water Act and Mining Code’s modification.