Following is a report on the latest major earthquake which occured in central Chile only a few hours ago.
I’ve posted this report as a reminder that these events will sadly become even more frequent over the next couple of years.
Sign up in the window on the right to receive my audio on “Embracing 2012″ in which I talk about these continuing global geophysical events, as well as the evolution of our consciousness and our spirituality.
These events can well be considered to be part of “Climate Change”, which have been brought on by the Sun’s activities not human related CO2.
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BBC: news.bbc.co.uk
Page last updated at 08:32 GMT, Saturday, 27 February 2010
Chile earthquake: ‘Everyone fears aftershocks’
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8540309.stm
A massive earthquake with a magnitude of 8.8 has hit central Chile, killing at least 64 people, ministers say.
The quake struck at 0634 GMT about 115km (70 miles) north-east of the city of Concepcion and 325km south-west of the capital, Santiago.
President Michelle Bachelet declared a “state of catastrophe” in affected areas and appealed for calm.
Although phone communication out of Chile has been difficult, people have been contacting the BBC via email and Twitter.
Below are some of the responses we’ve been sent.
A massive Earthquake with a Magnitude of 8.8 has hit central Chile, killing at least 78 people, ministers say.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8540289.stm
The quake struck at 0634 GMT about 115km (70 miles) north-east of the city of Concepcion and 325km south-west of the capital, Santiago. President Michelle Bachelet declared a “state of catastrophe” in affected areas and appealed for calm.
People are moving to higher ground on Easter Island amid fears of a tsunami. Alerts are in place across the Pacific.
Tsunami warnings have been issued for Hawaii, Australia, New Zealand, Central America and Pacific island nations.
Santiago airport has been closed and all flights cancelled until further notice, airline officials say. Flights are being diverted to Mendoza in Argentina.
Aftershocks
The earthquake is the biggest to hit Chile in 50 years.
Giving details of the latest casualties, President Bachelet said 34 of the deaths were in Maule, 13 in the Santiago municipality, 12 in the O’Higgins region, 10 in Bio Bio, five in Araucania and four in Valparaiso.
She said these were preliminary figures and could rise.
President Bachelet said: “People should remain calm. We’re doing everything we can with all the forces we have. Any information [we have] we will share immediately.”
She said a “wave of large proportion” had affected the Juan Fernandez island group, reaching halfway into one inhabited area. Two aid ships are reported to be on their way.
Residents of Easter Island are being moved to higher ground with fears a tsunami may strike soon.
Ms Bachelet said if there were more aftershocks, people in coastal areas should go to higher ground.
She warned people not to travel on roads in affected areas as a number of bridges were down.
Chilean officials said the worst affected town appeared to be Parral, close to the epicentre.
Other POWERFUL EARTHQUAKES
Haiti, 12 Jan 2010: About 230,000 people die after shallow 7.0 magnitude quake
Sumatra, Indonesia, 26 Dec 2004: 9.2 magnitude. Triggers Asian tsunami that kills nearly 250,000 people
Alaska, US, 28 March 1964: 9.2 magnitude; 128 people killed. Anchorage badly damaged
Chile, south of Concepcion, 22 May 1960: 9.5 magnitude. About 1,655 deaths. Tsunami hits Hawaii and Japan
Kamchatka, NE Russia, 4 Nov 1952: 9.0 magnitude
Chilean television said there had been a fire involving chemicals in the town of Colina, 20km north of Santiago, but that it was now under control.
Several hospitals have had to be evacuated in a number of areas, including Santiago, because of structural damage.
One resident of Chillan, 100km from the epicentre, told Chilean television the shaking there lasted about two minutes.
Other residents of Chillan and Curico said communications were down but running water was still available.
Many of Chile’s news websites and radio stations are still not accessible.
Buildings in Santiago were reported to have shaken for between 10 and 30 seconds, with the loss of electricity and communications.
Officials said damage to Santiago international airport’s terminal would keep it closed for at least 24 hours.
The US Geological Survey (USGS) said the earthquake struck at a depth of about 35km.
It also recorded eight aftershocks, the largest of 6.9 magnitude at 0801 GMT.
The USGS said tsunami effects had been observed at Valparaiso, west of Santiago, with a wave height of 1.69m above normal sea level.
One journalist speaking to Chilean national television from the city of Temuco, 600km south of Santiago, said many people there had left their homes, determined to spend the rest of the night outside. Some people on the streets were in tears.
A university professor in Santiago, Cristian Bonacic, said that this was a massive quake but that the cities seemed to have resisted well. Internet communications were working but not mobile phones.
Chile is highly vulnerable to earthquakes as it is situated on the Pacific “Rim of Fire”, on the edge of the Pacific and South American plates. Chile suffered the biggest earthquake of the 20th century when a 9.5 magnitude quake struck the city of Valdivia in 1960, killing 1,655 people.
Massive earthquake strikes Chile
COMMENTS
The quake seemed to last more than two minutes in Santiago. Buildings seemed to resist the quake very well. Communications are very difficult and there is no power in most parts of the city. In my building at least there is no water supply service either. We drove through a built-up part of the city this morning and it seems to have survived without major inconveniences.
Jose L Cruz, Santiago
It was tremendous; the buildings were literally dancing in the air; I’ve driven through the old downtown and there’s no relevant damage, but there are some collapsed bridges. I’m worried about the people who lives near Concepción, because their communications are broken down, so no one knows about the damage of a earthquake of that magnitude.
I think what would happen if an earthquake like this takes place in middle east; thanks god we are prepared for any disaster of that type.
Nicolás, Santiago, Chile
We are in Santiago. Quake lasted about thirty seconds. Buildings shook violently. Seem to all have withstood structural damage but there is broken glass. Interior damage worse. Was terrifying. People still out on streets. Electricity down in many areas and no phones. We crouched in bathtub on fourteenth floor during the quake while things smashed around us. Still getting after tremors.
Charlotte Mountford, Santiago
Yes, I felt it at 3:40am, we were in bed but woke up with the shaking. We all went outside and stood below a door frame and it lasted quite some time and we have felt a number of aftershocks since. We had no electricity or phones although but power has now been restored. I still can’t contact all our family in Concepcion because it seems that none of the mobile or fixed phones seem to be working. I am now sitting in bed with clothes and shoes on just in case…
Jessica Rodriguez, Santiago, Chile
I am in the La Reina/Las Condes area of Santiago. It’s OK on our few streets – lasted about two minutes. It’s 0430 now and roads mad with traffic and everyone out in streets fearing aftershocks.
Andy, Santiago
I am a university professor that lives in Santiago. This is a massive earthquake since 1986 and the cities resisted well and communications by internet 3G are fine but not mobile phones yet. Santiago seems quiet with a brilliant moon.
Cristian Bonacic, Santiago
Things were certainly moving a bit, but no structural damage visible. Some fires could be seen in the distance. No electricity at the moment or phone lines, but apart from that, so far not so bad.
Mark Winstanley, Vina Del Mar, West of Santiago
We have also been shaken at this side of the Andes in Argentina. We could feel it for about one minute and again after 10 minutes. There was no panic but I guess this has been the strongest we have had in many years.
Diego, Mendoza, Argentina
