http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/americas/02/27/chile.quake/index.html?hpt=T1 Powerful earthquake rattles Chile; tsunami warning issued (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. "An earthquake of this size has the potential to generate a destructive tsunami that can strike coastlines near the epicenter within minutes and more distant coastlines within hours," the National Weather Service said in a statement. The extent of damage or casualties was not immediately known. Alessandro Perez, who is staying at the Santiago Marriott Hotel, reported shattered windows, but there was no structural damage. No one at the hotel was injured, he said. Anita Herrera, who works at the Hotel Kennedy in Santiago, said electricity was knocked out at that hotel and guests were nervous. "Our hotel is built for this," she said. "In Chile, this happens many times." Chile holds the record for the largest earthquake in the world, according to the USGS. A magnitude 9.5 quake struck the South American country in May 1960 and killed 1,655 people.
Spoiler Yo Chile I'm really happy for you and all and Imma let you finish, but Indonesia had one of the greatest earthquake/tsunamis of all time! Spoiler due to high pop density Spoiler Sucks for Chile...but at least they have mountains so the people can flock into them when the tsunamis hit?
Hope Hawaii is spared but we won't know till later today. So close to Haiti earthquake may mean a more muted response. But, Chileans are better prepared for this event with better infrastructure so hopefully it is not nearly as devastating as in Haiti. 8.8 is really high. Damn.
What is the Biggest Earthquake Ever Recorded? Thanks to the extensive records of the United States Geological Service (USGS), it is quite easy to learn about the biggest earthquake ever recorded, which occurred near Santiago, Chile, in 1960. Known as the Great Chilean Earthquake, the quake measured an impressive 9.5 on the Richter scale. The death toll of the Great Chilean Earthquake is not known, but estimates go as high as 6,000, and the earthquake may have caused as much as 800 billion US Dollars in damage. In terms of earthquakes which were studied, measured, and recorded on the Richter Scale, however, the Great Chilean Earthquake was far and away the biggest earthquake ever. Keeping in mind that the Richter Scale runs along an exponential progression, the next largest earthquake was a 1964 temblor in Prince William Sound, Alaska, which measured 9.2. The 2004 Indian Ocean Earthquake is the next biggest earthquake ever recorded, clocking in at 9.1 on the Richter Scale and generating a formidable tsunami which damaged much of the coastline of Southeast Asia.
1964 Alaskan Tsunami Effects at Hawaii and Other Pacific Locations The 1964 tsunami, like those from 1946 and 1957, traveled across the Pacific striking the Hawaiian Islands. Fortunately, due to the orientation of the generating fault, this time the wave heights were smaller and caused little damage. Maximum wave heights reached 12.5 feet at Hilo, 11 feet at Kuhului, and only 1-foot a Kana'i. When the tsunami reached Japan, it was a mere 3 to 10 inches high. The Great Pacific-Wide Tsunami of 22 May 1960 The Effects of the May 22, 1960 Tsunami in the Hawaiian Islands The great Pacific-wide tsunami traveled a total distance of more than 6,000 miles (10,000 kilometers) from the the generating area in Southern Chile before reaching the Hawaiian Islands. Travel time was about 15 hours after the earthquake. The local date in Hawaii was 23 May 1960. The tsunami caused little damage in most of the Hawaiian islands, but the island of Hawaii and particularly the Hilo Bay area were hit the hardest. Damage costs were estimated at $24 million. 61 people lost their lives. Island of Hawaii Hilo: The island of Hawaii was the first of the Hawaiian islands to experience the effects of the tsunami. The first of a series of eight destructive waves arrived at Hilo Bay, 14.8 hours after the earthquake. Subsequently, at 12 to 20 minute time intervals, seven more large waves arrived. The maximum tsunami runup at Hilo Bay was 10.7 meters (about 35 feet) above sea level. Elsewhere, the runup ranged from 3-17 feet.
I said it in the Houston 10 yrs from now thread, its either going to be geological disaster or Skynet...
I guess we will have to wait to see what the casualty reports are but I am definately expecting a far lower casualty rate from Chile because of better building codes and practices. Disasters like this really highlight how big of a difference building codes make.
When I got a news alert about this last night, the first thing I said was "another one?". These things seem to be more frequent and more powerful. Maybe I'm just imagining it. Here comes 2012. I just got another news alert that tsunami warning sirens are sounding in Hawaii.
Out here in Hawaii right now (on Oahu) and folks are in scramble mode. Think about how Houston gets for an incoming hurricane, except calmer. The shorelines are being evacuated in flood zones, folks are buying supplies and gas, but no one is acting foolish. The state is doing a good job getting news out, but folks are a bit nervous. It's expected to hit the North Shore first. The Big Island (Hawaii itself) is about to get smacked, however.
Just read an article which said there is "no chance that Hawaii won't see anything." Hopefully these kinds of statements don't lead to a widespread panic.
500 times the power of the Haiti earthquake per the radio reports Much less devastation because of where it hit -- but....man....that's a whole lotta shaking going on. Best wishes to all those affected....I'd been reading up on Chile with the intention of going there....amazing place...hope everyone's doing OK.
