A strong 8.2-magnitude earthquake has struck off the northwestern coast
of Chile, killing at least two people and setting off a small tsunami
that prompted evacuations along the country's Pacific coast.
The U.S. Geological Survey says the earthquake was centered about 100 kilometers northwest of Iquique Tuesday evening. It was followed by several aftershocks, including one measuring 6.2-magnitude.
Chilean authorities said waves measuring about two meters were striking cities along the coast. Officials quickly ordered evacuations, warning that larger waves are expected later.
The U.S. Geological Survey says the earthquake was centered about 100 kilometers northwest of Iquique Tuesday evening. It was followed by several aftershocks, including one measuring 6.2-magnitude.
Chilean authorities said waves measuring about two meters were striking cities along the coast. Officials quickly ordered evacuations, warning that larger waves are expected later.
Iquique's governor, Gonzalo Prieto, told a local radio station that two people are confirmed dead and at least three are seriously injured.
- There have been no reports of widespread damage. But Chile's emergency office said the earthquake has caused landslides that are partially blocking some roads and highways.
A tsunami alert has been issued for the entire Pacific coast of Central and South America.
- U.S. officials say they have found no imminent threat of a tsunami along the coasts of Hawaii, Alaska, California, Oregon or Washington state after the earthquake near Chile, but the danger is still under evaluation.
- Chile is one of the world's most earthquake prone countries. In 2010, a 8.8-magnitude quake rocked central Chile, killing over 500 people and destroying 220,000 homes.
The region hit by Tuesday's quake had also experienced several smaller temblors in recent days, including a 6.0-magnitude earthquake on Sunday.
[voanews.com]
2/4/14
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- M 8.0 - OFFSHORE TARAPACA, CHILE .... 93 km NW of Iquique, Chile ....local time: 19:46....
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- M8.2 - 95km NW of Iquique, Chile
Event Time
- 2014-04-01 23:46:46 UTC
- 2014-04-01 18:46:46 UTC-05:00 at epicenter
- 2014-04-02 02:46:46 UTC+03:00 system time
Location
19.642°S 70.817°W depth=20.1km (12.5mi)Nearby Cities
- 95km (59mi) NW of Iquique, Chile
- 139km (86mi) SSW of Arica, Chile
- 190km (118mi) SSW of Tacna, Peru
- 228km (142mi) SSE of Ilo, Peru
- 447km (278mi) SW of La Paz, Bolivia
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Massive 8.2 earthquake off Chile coast sparks tsunami....
ReplyDelete(Reuters) - A major earthquake of magnitude 8.2 struck off the coast of Chile on Tuesday, triggering a tsunami, causing landslides that blocked highways and leading to five deaths.
Officials said the dead included people who were crushed by collapsing walls or were killed by heart attacks.
The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake was shallow at 12.5 miles below the seabed and struck about 100 km northwest of the mining port of Iquique near the Peruvian border.
The government said it had no reports of significant damage to coastal areas, but around 300 prisoners took advantage of the confusion and escaped from a female penitentiary in Iquique, Interior Minister Rodrigo Penailillo said.
About 16 of the women were soon recaptured, Chile's investigative police said, while security forces fanned out through the area amid reports of power outages.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said the quake generated a large tsunami with the biggest wave reported at 2.3 meters. The Chilean navy said the first big wave hit the coast within 45 minutes.............http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/04/02/us-chile-earthquake-idUSBREA3101G20140402?feedType=RSS&feedName=worldNews
2/4/14
Chilean authorities say 5 confirmed dead following massive quake ...
ReplyDeleteA major earthquake of magnitude 8.2 struck off the coast of Chile on Tuesday, triggering a tsunami, causing landslides that blocked highways and leading to five deaths.
Officials said the dead included people who were crushed by collapsing walls or were killed by heart attacks.
The US Geological Survey said the quake was shallow at 12.5 miles (20.1 km) below the seabed and struck about 100 km northwest of the mining port of Iquique near the Peruvian border.
The government said it had no reports of significant damage to coastal areas, but around 300 prisoners took advantage of the confusion and escaped from a female penitentiary in Iquique, Interior Minister Rodrigo Penailillo said......http://www.jpost.com/Breaking-News/Chilean-authorities-say-2-confirmed-dead-following-massive-quake-347240
2/4/14
Five die, three seriously injured in strong earthquake in Chile...
ReplyDeleteAt least five people died, other three were seriously injured in a strong 8.2 magnitude earthquake in northern Chile on Wednesday, Chilean Interior Minister Rodrigo Penailillo said.
In his words, four men and one woman died in the quake. They died of heart attack under collapsed parts of buildings. The interior minister also noted that authorities had partially lifted a tsunami warning in the southern part of the Pacific coast.......http://en.itar-tass.com/world/726198?utm_medium=rss20
2/4/14
Chile: Regierung schickt Elitesoldaten in Erdbebenregion...
ReplyDeleteVon Klaus Ehringfeld, Mexiko-Stadt
In Chile wächst die Angst vor Plünderungen und Überfällen. Nach dem heftigen Beben der Stärke 8,2 entsendet Präsidentin Bachelet eine Eliteeinheit der Streitkräfte in den Norden des Landes.
Nur wenige Stunden, nachdem Chile von einem heftigen Beben der Stärke 8,2 heimgesucht worden war, trat in der Hauptstadt Santiago de Chile Präsidentin Michelle Bachelet in hellrotem Kostüm und Perlenkette vor die Presse. Vier Männer und eine Frau seien in den Städten Iquique und Alto Hospicio ums Leben gekommen, erklärte sie. Den Behörden zufolge wurden die Opfer von einstürzenden Mauern erschlagen oder erlitten einen Herzinfarkt.............http://www.spiegel.de/panorama/chile-erdbeben-bachelet-schickt-armee-nach-iquique-alto-hospicio-a-962078.html
2/4/14