Earthquake & Tsunami warning

Massive 8.8 earthquake hits Chile, Tsunami warning issued

Damage reports starting to filter in 

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 27 February, 2010 : - - A powerful 8.8 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Chile on Saturday morning, sparking tsunami warnings along the coast of South America. The US Geological Survey reported the large earthquake hit offshore from Maule, Chile. In the Chilean capital Santiago, north of the epicentre, there were reports of buildings shaking and blackouts.

The earthquake struck 56 miles northeast of Concepcíon at a depth of 34 miles. It was initially reported at a magnitude of 8.8, reportedly lasting for 10 to 30 seconds. Geologists described the earthquake as "very big" and 80 times bigger than the earthquake that hit Haiti earlier this year. There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage.

The US Pacific Tsunami warning centre issued a tsunami warning for Chile and Peru, and a tsunami watch for Ecuador. It said it was not yet known if a tsunami had been caused but "an earthquake of this size has the potential to generate a destructive tsunami that can strike coastlines within hours." The centre warned authorities to take "appropriate action".

8.8 Earthquake details here

A tsunami has been observed at the following sites:

 Location                   Lat.   Lon.    Time        Amplitude
 ------------------------  -----  ------  -------     -----------

 30min     Talcahuano  C   36.7S   73.1W  0659UTC    1.8M/6.0ft
 22min     Valparaiso  C   33.0S   71.4W  0659UTC    1.69M/5.7FT
 20min     Corral  Chile   39.9S   73.4W  0729UTC    1.45M/4.8FT
 14min     San Felix   C   26.3S   80.1W  0809UTC    0.69M/2.3FT

In 1960, an earthquake measuring 9.5 on the Richter Scale hi Valdivia in Chile, killing up to 6,000 people and sparking a tsunami with waves as high as 82 feet high.

Earlier on Saturday a powerful earthquake struck in the Pacific Ocean, about 50 miles off the southern Japanese island of Okinawa. A tsunami warning was initially issued, but later lifted. There are no reports of major damage or casualties. The Japan Meteorological Agency gave the strength as 6.9, while the US Geological Survey put it at 7.3.

Japan is frequently hit by earthquakes. In 1995, a 7.2 magnitude quake in the port city of Kobe killed 6,400 people. The latest tremor happened at 0531 on Saturday (2031 GMT on Friday). Ivan Brackin, a broadcaster who lives on Yoron Island, said it was the biggest quake he had felt in his 40 years in Japan, but there had been no visible effects in his area.

"We're 30 yards [metres] from the sea and no sign of a tsunami," he said. "I woke up to violent shudders that lasted about six seconds then a pause followed by a couple of sharp jumps. Jumpers are the most dangerous so that sent me under the desk."

Last month more than 250,000 people were killed when a devastating earthquake struck the Caribbean island of Haiti, leaving some 1.2 million people homeless and prompting one of the largest ever international aid operations.

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