8.5 Earthquake Hits Chile

[AGDee]

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.

[carnation]

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.

[AGDee]

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...

[SydneyK]

Originally Posted by AGDee

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.

[thetygerlily]

This is one of many reasons I love GC- I get big news faster here than elsewhere.

This is absolutely incredible, especially after Japan's earthquake. Huge. Every guide & cabbie we had when we were in Santiago said they get at least one earthquake a day, you just can't feel them all due to the intensity and/or depth. They- and Japan- are certainly more acustomed to earthquakes and prepared for them than Haiti, but 8.8 is huge. Three big quakes in what, a month? The PNW is way overdue for a big one. Hopefully this wasn't the start of a Ring of Fire trend.

Just turned on my local news- WA has a tsunami warning in effect but theydont expect it to be very large here at this point.

CNN is drawing how Hawaii could be effected. Go CNN for visuals. Oh, they say tsunami warning for Oregon too.

ETA: just remembered another recent Ring of Fire quake- Peru in late January. It was much smaller(5 something- substantial but not devastating), but still. That's lots of earthquakes in a short time peried.

[DaffyKD]

Originally Posted by AGDee

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...

Thank you so much for the update.

DaffyKD

[NinjaPoodle]

Originally Posted by AGDee

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

[chickenoodle]

Quake Triggered Tsunami Hits Hawaii posted 11 minutes ago by AP

Excerpt:
HILO, Hawaii – Scientists have confirmed that the tsunami triggered by the earthquake in Chile has reached Hawaii.
The extent of the damage was not immediately clear, but the effects of the tsunami were obvious.
Water began pulling away from shore off Hilo Bay on the Big Island just before noon, exposing reefs and sending dark streaks of muddy, sandy water offshore. Water later washed over Coconut Island, a small park off the coast of Hilo.


ETA: helpful links for the curious.

How Tsunamis Work
Excerpt:
The resulting waves are hard to predict for several reasons. Nobody knows how a quake has affected the seafloor until hours, days or even months after the event. And a tsunami is almost imperceptible on the open ocean, rising to full ferocity only as it nears the shore.
Tsunami Waves

[Kevin]

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

[dreamseeker]

Chile earthquake may shorten days on earth.

it's not a lot but damn.