And the Land was Altered from it´s Natural Atate: Effects of the combined Disasters in Quito and its Surroundings between February and May of 1797

Esta investigación analiza cómo una sucesión de desastres combinados asociados con la presencia, en un corto lapso, de terremotos, erupciones volcánicas, remociones en masa e inundaciones, pusieron a prueba a la sociedad de Quito y su entorno durante los primeros meses de 1797. Las respuestas que se aplicaron fueron variadas, sin embargo, en esta época existió un debate más racional que puede enmarcarse dentro de las ideas ilustradas de finales del siglo XVIII, aunque sin abandonar el enfoque religioso; este cambio en la mentalidad va a condicionar de forma clara las acciones a seguir por las autoridades de la Audiencia de Quito, el Cabildo Secular y los Corregimientos afectados y marcará una diferencia en el manejo de esta emergencia con respecto a otras anteriores.This research analyzes how a succession of combined disasters associated with the presence, in a short time, of earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, mass removals and floods, tested the limits of the society of Quito and its surroundings during the first months of 1797. The answers that were applied were varied, however, at this time there was a more rational debate that can be framed within the enlightened ideas of the late 18th century, even though they hadn´t abandoned it´s religious approach; this change of mindset will clearly condition the actions to be followed by the authorities of the Audience of Quito, the Secular Cabildo and the affected Corregimientos and its handling would differ from that of previous emergencies.FEDER Andalucía 2014-2020 US-126315