If building near water it's a good idea to first have a geotechnical firm take bore samples to analyze soil and ground stability and to determine appropriate construction depths. A structural/geotech engineer will use the data to determine foundation design and if pilings are needed. Additionally, if the area is stable enough to resist tidal and sysmic forces of that specific area or if it can be designed to offer resistance against those influences. Visual observations can aid but lab samples at depth are essential for a proper analysis. Historical data of the area can be helpful when assessing the risks. INOCAR, UEES are example of local Ecuador sources of historical data. In short: evaluate objective information, run it by certified professionals and than decide what you want to do. Ed
