The Amerikas Colloquium

Martín Fonck (LMU München, RCC)

“Explorando el interior de la Cordillera de Los Andes”: an ethnographic approach to the construction of geothermal energy futures in the Chilean Andes Mountains

The following presentation focuses on the construction of geothermal energy futures through scientific explorations in the Chilean Andes Mountains. The geothermal energy projects are understood as a clean and sustainable future energy source, in contrast with many other energy sources, such as hydroelectricity and imported fossil fuels. Nevertheless, social, cultural and political dimensions of energy are being recognized as a central challenge, involving tensions regarding multiple and divergent engagements with geological resources. The paper seeks to explore future imaginations and underground representations among scientist and local people, in evidence making process of geothermal energy potential in the Andes mountains. The research is based on the Liquiñe-Ofqui fault in southern Chile and the geyser field located in “El tatio” in northern Chile. Our ethnographic approach proposes to analyse how underground representations are constantly redefined through ruins, material traces and memories.

When?            Thursday, June 6th 2019, 6 - 8 pm

Where?           Oettingenstr. 67, 80538 München, Room L155,  site map

The complete AMERIKAS Program organised by Prof. Eveline Dürr here  to download (169 KB)