Major Earthquake Strikes Chilean Coast

A major 6.7 magnitude earthquake struck off the Chilean Pacific coast Sunday that forced the evacuation of almost 100,000 residents from coastal areas.

The quake struck about 6:16 p.m. local time about a depth of 12.5 miles 37 miles northwest of Iquique.  The quake was followed by a series of strong aftershocks ranging from magnitude 4.9 to 5.2 according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

Officials say that no major damage is reported from the quake however many buildings have broken windows and cracked doors.

Chile’s navy had detected the possibility of a small tsunami setting off the tsunami warning systems between the towns of Arica and Tocopilla.  The tsunami was smaller than expected with only a crest of 13 inches above normal sea level.

Chile, located on the Pacific Ring of Fire, is one of the world’s most earthquake-prone countries and is the location of the strongest quake in recorded history, a 9.5 magnitude in 1960 that killed over 5,000 people.

Major Earthquake Rattles Chile

The U.S. Geological Survey reported a magnitude 6.6 earthquake struck just off the coast of Chile Thursday.

The quake was centered 35 miles southwest of Coquimbo at depth of 6.6 miles according to USGS estimates.

The quake caused buildings to sway in the capital city of Santiago although no major damage has been reported. The off-shore quake was not expected to cause a widespread tsunami according to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center but that local tsunamis are possible within approximately 60 miles of the epicenter.

Chile is located on the Pacific Ring of Fire.

Whole Lotta Shakin’ On The Ring of Fire

The Pacific “Ring of Fire” is doing its impression of Jerry Lee Lewis with a “whole lotta shakin’ going on” over the last day. Four earthquakes of a magnitude of 6 or greater shook three points on the “ring.”

The first struck in Chile with a magnitude 6.8 quake. The quake centered about 24 miles north of Vallenar and was felt as far away as the capital city of Santiago. One woman died of a heart attack that local officials attributed to stress brought on by the strong quake. Continue reading

Major Earthquake Strikes Chile

A major earthquake has struck along the Chilean coastline sending people running into the streets and knocking out communications throughout the region.

The US Geological survey reports a preliminary 6.1 magnitude quake struck about 55 miles north of Coquimbo, Chile just after 4 p.m. local time. Despite the epicenter’s proximity to the coastline, the Chilean Oceanographic Service dismissed the possibility of a tsunami from the quake. Continue reading

Earthquakes Shake Both Sides of the Ring of Fire

Two large earthquakes rocked countries on opposite sides of the “Ring of Fire”.

A 7.1 earthquake shook Papua New Guinea in the South Pacific.  The earthquake did not cause any major structural damage or injuries because of it’s location however it was felt for hundreds of miles.  Due to the depth of the earthquake there was no tsunami warning issued for this quake.
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