8.5 Earthquake Hits Chile
 

CNN

http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/americ...ex.html?hpt=T1
:(

8.5 is HUGE! I thought living in Los Angeles for most of my life I had been through the worst of them but nothing like an 8.5.

I really hope they don't get a tsunami.

Just revised the figure to 8.8. Absolutely massive quake, five confirmed deaths. Chile must be prepared for these sorts of things.

*UPDATE*

It's been upgraded to an 8.8 with Tsunami waves recorded as high as 9 feet


Powerful earthquake rattles Chile; tsunami warning issued
February 27, 2010 3:27 a.m. EST

(CNN) -- An magnitude 8.8 earthquake struck central Chile early Saturday, the U.S. Geological Survey said.
The quake's epicenter was located near the city of Concepcion, 212 miles (341 kilometers) from the capital of Santiago. It struck at 3:34 a.m. (1:34 a.m. ET).
Concepcion is Chile's second largest city with a population of 200,000.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued a tsunami warning for Chile and Peru. The center recorded a tsunami wave as high as 9 feet.

http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/americ...ex.html?hpt=T1

I'm not looking forward to 2012. We're done for.:(

Chile is a bit more prepared for such things than Haiti was, but this is huge regardless. They have reported aftershocks as high as 6.9 as well. The video on CNN which is an interview with the head of CNN in Chile indicated that the main bridge connecting the north and the south is not functional. He also said that February is a vacation month in Chile so the cities themselves are ghost towns because everybody leaves town for 4 weeks. He said that so many people are away from their homes that they will be desperately trying to get back to them to see what the damage is.

They are saying a tsunami could hit Hawaii around 5 pm EST today as a result. They expect large waves in the bays of Hawaii.. perhaps 10-15 foot waves. They are also watching to see if there will be an effect on California, Oregon or Washington but they think that's unlikely right now.

I sometimes wish I'd studied plate tectonics more. The Japan quake with the Chile quake following shortly afterward makes me wonder if they are related in some way? Going to study up .. gotta love the internet.

I'm going to go wake up our exchange students and tell them about both earthquakes. They are from the exact areas where the quakes hit, one from central Chile and the other from Okinawa, Japan.

Oh my goodness, that's crazy! Sending my best thoughts to them. I hope their family, frriends, and homes are ok!

The Okinawan has heard from her mom and they're okay at her house but I don't know about damage. The Chilean hasn't been able to get in touch with her family. :(

I see that the Chilean quake was centered near Concepcion. Some of you may remember Baby Berry Cousin from Baby Berry's rush story in 2004; BBC was adopted from Concepcion.

The strength of this quake is impossible to imagine. When I lived in Hawaii, there was a 3.8 quake and my roommate and I were sitting on our heavy metal beds, terrified, as they bounced across the room; what could a much huger one feel like?

They showed the road bridges just now on MSNBC. Resembles the San Francisco road bridges. 8.8 is scary. I couldn't even imagine a 6.0 since we get nothing here. Thinking about everyone out there in the affected areas, especially our Hawaii GCers where the tsunami is said to hit about 4:19pm EST.

They are sharing so much interesting technical information on CNN. They are explaining that an 8.0 earthquake is 32 times stronger than a 7.0 (Haiti) and then a 9.0 is another 32 times stronger than that. This was not quite a 9.0, but was almost 1000 times stronger than the Haiti earthquake.

They also just showed a scary graphic showing the release of energy leading to this wave that is expected to hit Hawaii. Stronger than the bomb on Hiroshima. They were also saying that the wave won't just hit one side of an island, it can wrap around the island and is often WORSE on the opposite side.

This is truly a devastating event that isn't over yet.

The Chilean's family is fine and she's talking to her dad right now. Her town, although in central Chile, didn't get the force of the quake that other parts did. Hawaii:OMG. I don't know anyone living in Ewa anymore but if tsunamis can wrap around islands, then auwe! There's so much potential damage on the other side (Honolulu). Some of those hotels, as many of you know, are right there on the beach.

My husband (a science teacher) will be glued to CNN all day.

For those who care, I heard from OTW and her family is all aware and on high ground, well prepared with lots of food. Quite a way to wake up for them...

Thanks for posting this, Dee. I thought about OTW when I saw that Hawaii is preparing for the tsunami. Glad to hear she's on high ground.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...2010-02-27.jpg

This is a map of the projected energy of the tsunami. Hope everyone in Hawaii stays safe.