Massive earthquake strikes Chile - Astrology

2010 Chile earthquake
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This article documents a current major earthquake. Information regarding it may change rapidly as it progresses. Though this article is updated frequently, it may not reflect the most current or official information about this earthquake for all areas.
2010 Chile earthquake
Date 27 February 2010 06:34:17 UTC (2010-02-27T06:34:17)
Magnitude 8.8 Mw
Depth 35 kilometres (22 mi)
Epicenter location 35°50′46″S 72°43′08″W / 35.846°S 72.719°W / -35.846; -72.719Coordinates: 35°50′46″S 72°43′08″W / 35.846°S 72.719°W / -35.846; -72.719
Countries or regions affected Chile, Maule Region, Biobío Region
Tsunami warning for Chile and Peru; according CNN also Panama, Hawaii and Costa Rica
Casualties 78 confirmed deaths[1][2]

The earthquake took place where the Nazca Plate is subducting under the South American plateThe 2010 Chile earthquake happened off the coast of the Maule Region of Chile,[3][4] on February 27, 2010, with a magnitude of what was originally reported to be between 8.3 and 8.5 Mw, and has since been upgraded to a possible 8.8 Mw.[5] It was the strongest earthquake affecting Chile since the magnitude 9.5 1960 Valdivia earthquake, and the strongest earthquake worldwide since the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake.[6]

The earthquake was also felt in the Chilean capital Santiago as well as in many Argentinean cities.[7] Tsunami warnings were issued in 53 countries.[7] Michelle Bachelet, President of Chile, declared a "state of catastrophe". She also confirmed the deaths of at least 78 people.[1][8]

Its epicenter was offshore from the Maule Region, approximately 8 km (5.0 miles) west of Curanipe and 115 km north-northeast of Chile's second largest city, Concepción.[9] Other cities exposed to Mercalli intensity scale intensity VIII (Destructive) shaking were Arauco, Lota and Constitución.[10] The quake occurred at 03:34 local time, and is reported to have lasted 10–30 seconds.[11]

Contents
1 Earthquake characteristics
2 Damage and casualties
3 Tsunami and aftershocks
4 See also
5 References
6 External links

Earthquake characteristics

The earthquake occurred along the boundary between the Nazca Plate and the South American Plate. At the location of this earthquake, the plates converge at 80 mm/year. The coastal part of Chile has a history of great megathrust earthquakes originating from this plate boundary, such as the 1960 Valdivia earthquake. More recently, this plate boundary ruptured at the 2007 Antofagasta earthquake.

The earthquake is characterized by a thrust-faulting focal mechanism, caused by the subduction of the Nazca plate under the South American plate.[9]

The Chilean National Emergency Office Oficina Nacional de Emergencia estimated that the intensity of the earthquake was 9 on the Mercalli scale in the Biobío Region and 8 in Santiago.[2][12] USGS put the intensity in Santiago and Valparaiso at MM VI.[10]




Damage and casualties
According to an Associated Press Television News cameraman, some buildings have collapsed in Santiago and there are power outages in parts of the city.[13] Santiago's International Airport seems to have been damaged and the airport authority has closed off all flight operations for the next 24 hours from around 1200 UTC.[3]

At least 78 deaths have been reported so far.[2]

In one of the first live news coverages, damaged buildings and fire can be seen in Concepción.[14]

Tsunami and aftershocks

The propagation of the tsunami as projected by NOAA
The energy model map of the tsunami.A tsunami warning was first declared for Chile and Peru,[15] while a tsunami watch issued for Ecuador, Colombia, Antarctica, Panama and Costa Rica.[16]

The warning was later extended to a Pacific Ocean-wide warning, covering all coastal areas on the Pacific Ocean except the west coast of the United States, British Columbia, and Alaska.[17] Hawaiian media reported that tsunami warning sirens will be sounded at 6am local time.[18]

A tsunami amplitude of up to 2.6 m (8.5 ft) high was recorded in the sea at Valparaiso, Chile.[2][19][20] An amplitude of 2.34 m (7.68 ft) was recorded at Talcahuano in the Biobío Region.[20]

An aftershock of 6.2 was recorded 20 minutes after the initial quake.[2][21] Two more aftershocks of magnitudes 5.4 and 5.6 followed.[21] The USGS said that "a large vigorous aftershock sequence can be expected from this earthquake".[9] And indeed, four hours after the initial shock, at least 14 aftershocks larger than magnitude 5.5 had been recorded in an area stretching roughly 300 km north and south of the first epicenter. The largest of those aftershocks measured 6.9 [22].

In Juan Fernández Islands, situated in the Pacific Ocean about 667 km (414 mi) away from the coast of Chile, local residents reported "a wave of great size" in the main city, but it still remains unknown whether there is any damage.[23]

Minor quakes generated by the main one could be felt as far as São Paulo, Brazil,[24] located about 3,000 km (1,900 mi) away from Concepción.

See also
List of earthquakes in Chile
List of largest earthquakes by magnitude
2007 Peru earthquake