8.8 EQ - Offshore MAULE, Chile - REVISED 432 Death, 98 missing

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Re: 8.8 EQ - Offshore MAULE, Chile - 2,391K exposed to severe shaking & mod-heavy damage - spreading tsunamis being recorded - "at least" 147 Deaths

Re: 8.8 EQ - Offshore MAULE, Chile - 2,391K exposed to severe shaking & mod-heavy damage - spreading tsunamis being recorded - "at least" 147 Deaths

Update time = Sun Feb 28 1:53:25 UTC 2010


<TABLE cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=1 border=0><TBODY><TR><TH></TH><TH align=middle>MAG </TH><TH align=middle>UTC DATE-TIME
y/m/d h:m:s
</TH><TH align=middle>LAT
deg
</TH><TH align=middle>LON
deg
</TH><TH align=middle>DEPTH
km
</TH><TH>Region</TH></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>MAP</TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>5.3 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>2010/02/28 01:33:12 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-36.600 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-72.771 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>35.0 </TD><TD vAlign=top>BIO-BIO, CHILE</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>MAP</TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>5.3 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>2010/02/28 01:20:35 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>25.973 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>128.353 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>35.0 </TD><TD vAlign=top>RYUKYU ISLANDS, JAPAN</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>MAP</TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>5.5 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>2010/02/28 01:08:24 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-34.113 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-71.947 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>35.0 </TD><TD vAlign=top>LIBERTADOR O'HIGGINS, CHILE</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>MAP</TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>5.3 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>2010/02/28 01:01:12 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-36.791 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-73.352 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>35.0 </TD><TD vAlign=top>OFFSHORE BIO-BIO, CHILE</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>MAP</TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>5.1 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>2010/02/28 00:53:34 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-37.949 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-73.659 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>35.0 </TD><TD vAlign=top>OFFSHORE BIO-BIO, CHILE</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>MAP</TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>5.3 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>2010/02/28 00:00:49 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-36.573 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-73.279 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>35.0 </TD><TD vAlign=top>OFFSHORE BIO-BIO, CHILE</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><HR><TABLE cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=1 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>MAP</TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>5.2 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>2010/02/27 23:35:15 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-33.867 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-72.226 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>34.8 </TD><TD vAlign=top>OFFSHORE LIBERTADOR O'HIGGINS, CHILE</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>MAP</TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>5.7 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>2010/02/27 23:21:13 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>35.912 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>70.051 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>104.9 </TD><TD vAlign=top>HINDU KUSH REGION, AFGHANISTAN</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>MAP</TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>5.8 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>2010/02/27 23:12:35 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-34.741 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-71.864 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>35.0 </TD><TD vAlign=top>LIBERTADOR O'HIGGINS, CHILE</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>MAP</TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>5.8 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>2010/02/27 23:02:01 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-37.755 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-72.713 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>35.2 </TD><TD vAlign=top>ARAUCANIA, CHILE</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>MAP</TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>5.2 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>2010/02/27 22:22:33 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-34.072 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-71.308 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>35.0 </TD><TD vAlign=top>REGION METROPOLITANA, CHILE</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>MAP</TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>5.1 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>2010/02/27 22:20:04 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-35.094 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-72.712 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>35.0 </TD><TD vAlign=top>OFFSHORE MAULE, CHILE</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>MAP</TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>5.2 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>2010/02/27 22:16:15 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-36.491 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-73.380 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>35.0 </TD><TD vAlign=top>OFFSHORE BIO-BIO, CHILE</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>MAP</TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>5.0 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>2010/02/27 22:13:52 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-34.437 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-72.531 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>35.0 </TD><TD vAlign=top>OFFSHORE LIBERTADOR O'HIGGINS, CHILE</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>MAP</TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>5.2 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>2010/02/27 21:59:08 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-36.794 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-73.311 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>34.8 </TD><TD vAlign=top>OFFSHORE BIO-BIO, CHILE</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>MAP</TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>5.0 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>2010/02/27 21:48:26 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-33.968 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-72.140 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>28.6 </TD><TD vAlign=top>OFFSHORE LIBERTADOR O'HIGGINS, CHILE</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>MAP</TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>5.2 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>2010/02/27 21:43:11 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-35.131 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-72.450 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>35.0 </TD><TD vAlign=top>OFFSHORE MAULE, CHILE</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>MAP</TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>5.2 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>2010/02/27 21:00:37 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-33.855 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-73.028 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>35.0 </TD><TD vAlign=top>OFF THE COAST OF VALPARAISO, CHILE</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>MAP</TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>5.0 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>2010/02/27 20:44:34 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-37.893 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-73.423 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>35.0 </TD><TD vAlign=top>BIO-BIO, CHILE</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>MAP</TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>5.0 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>2010/02/27 20:29:23 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-34.689 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-73.621 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>35.0 </TD><TD vAlign=top>OFF COAST OF LIBERTADOR O'HIGGINS, CHILE</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>MAP</TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>5.4 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>2010/02/27 19:54:30 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>10.896 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-43.442 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>10.0 </TD><TD vAlign=top>NORTHERN MID-ATLANTIC RIDGE</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>MAP</TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>5.0 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>2010/02/27 19:46:10 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-36.090 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-73.332 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>35.0 </TD><TD vAlign=top>OFFSHORE BIO-BIO, CHILE</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>MAP</TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>5.2 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>2010/02/27 19:06:18 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-37.473 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-73.502 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>35.0 </TD><TD vAlign=top>BIO-BIO, CHILE</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>MAP</TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>6.3 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>2010/02/27 19:00:08 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-33.425 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-71.909 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>34.8 </TD><TD vAlign=top>OFFSHORE VALPARAISO, CHILE</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>MAP</TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>5.1 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>2010/02/27 18:41:51 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-37.581 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-73.501 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>34.9 </TD><TD vAlign=top>BIO-BIO, CHILE</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>MAP</TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>5.3 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>2010/02/27 18:23:12 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-37.618 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-73.818 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>35.0 </TD><TD vAlign=top>OFFSHORE BIO-BIO, CHILE</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>MAP</TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>5.6 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>2010/02/27 18:15:23 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-37.527 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-73.696 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>20.8 </TD><TD vAlign=top>OFFSHORE BIO-BIO, CHILE</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>MAP</TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>5.1 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>2010/02/27 18:12:51 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-33.847 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-71.577 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>35.0 </TD><TD vAlign=top>REGION METROPOLITANA, CHILE</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>MAP</TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>5.3 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>2010/02/27 17:56:53 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-34.688 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-71.571 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>35.0 </TD><TD vAlign=top>LIBERTADOR O'HIGGINS, CHILE</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>MAP</TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>5.5 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>2010/02/27 17:43:37 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-36.453 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-72.978 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>35.0 </TD><TD vAlign=top>OFFSHORE BIO-BIO, CHILE</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>MAP</TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>5.6 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>2010/02/27 17:24:34 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-36.256 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-72.927 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>35.0 </TD><TD vAlign=top>OFFSHORE BIO-BIO, CHILE</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>MAP</TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>5.0 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>2010/02/27 17:22:26 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-38.043 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-73.629 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>35.0 </TD><TD vAlign=top>OFFSHORE BIO-BIO, CHILE</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/recenteqsww/Quakes/quakes_big.php

 

[Pathfinder]

Re: 8.8 EQ - Offshore MAULE, Chile - 2,391K exposed to severe shaking & mod-heavy damage - spreading tsunamis being recorded - "at least" 147 Deaths

Re: 8.8 EQ - Offshore MAULE, Chile - 2,391K exposed to severe shaking & mod-heavy damage - spreading tsunamis being recorded - "at least" 147 Deaths

Chile reels from 8.8 earthquake

The massive quake tears down buildings and bridges and rips open highways in Santiago and Concepcion. The death toll of 300 is expected to rise.


By Chris Kraul
February 28, 2010

Reporting from Bogota, Colombia - One of the biggest earthquakes in recorded history rocked Chile on Saturday, killing at least 300 people, toppling buildings and freeways, and sending sirens wailing thousands of miles away as governments scrambled to protect coastal residents from the ensuing tsunami.

Chilean President Michelle Bachelet declared parts of the country "catastrophe zones" in the wake of the 8.8 magnitude quake, which was centered about 70 miles offshore from the port city of Concepcion.

With images still fresh of Haiti's devastation from an earthquake last month, the world woke up to new disaster -- and fears of another catastrophic toll. But the Chile quake struck at a relatively deep 21.7 miles, and building codes are strict in a country that 50 years ago was struck by the biggest earthquake ever recorded: a magnitude 9.5.

Nonetheless, Bachelet said in an address to the nation Saturday night that a million buildings had been damaged. And with television footage showing topsy-turvy structures, severed bridges and highways whose pavement looked as if it had been tilled by some giant farm machine, the death toll was expected to rise.

Concepcion resident Alberto Rozas said his building began to shake and he grabbed his daughter in terror amid shattering glass and an ungodly roar.

"It was awful," said Rozas, who lives next to a 13-story apartment building that was reduced to rubble. "The only thing I did right was throw clothes on the floor so my daughter and I could escape without ruining our feet. But we're still covered with cuts."

As a flurry of 30 aftershocks, some measuring more than magnitude 6, continued to strike the region all day, Chile's Interior Ministry said tsunami surges reaching heights of 10 feet hit the nation's Juan Fernandez Islands, leaving three people dead and 13 others missing.

Memories of the tsunami that was unleashed on Southeast Asia and across the Indian Ocean five years ago haunted governments across the Pacific on Saturday. In Hawaii, 100,000 people were evacuated to higher ground, and the U.S. Navy Pacific Fleet sent four warships steaming out to sea as a precaution against damage near shore at Pearl Harbor.

A series of small, 3-foot tsunamis hit Hawaii's Big Island shortly after 1 p.m., churning up sediment but causing no apparent damage. Early Sunday, Japan's Meteorological Agency warned that a "major" tsunami of up to 10 feet could hit northern coastal areas.

The U.S. moved briskly to offer assistance to Chile. President Obama spoke with Bachelet to offer condolences, praising the country's quick response and reiterating the United States' readiness to aid in rescue and recovery.

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said she planned to leave Sunday for the region. "Our hemisphere comes together in times of crisis, and we will stand side by side with the people of Chile in this emergency," she said.

Some observers, however, worried that international relief efforts could be stretched thin, with the response to the Haiti earthquake, which left 215,000 people dead and a million homeless, still ongoing.

In Chile, television images showed collapsed highway overpasses and buildings in southern Santiago, the capital, and in Concepcion, 300 miles to the south. Bachelet was reported to be headed to the region to inspect the damage.

President-elect Sebastian Pinera, who takes office in two weeks, told reporters that in addition to scores of deaths, the country had suffered serious damage to its infrastructure, including highways, airports and housing.

"This earthquake has delivered a tremendous blow to Chilean society," Pinera said, adding he would request emergency funds totaling 2% of the budget to help rebuild. "Our government will do everything for the recovery and to accelerate reconstruction."

Santiago's international airport will be closed at least through Monday, officials said. Although the runways are in good condition, the control tower and customs facilities suffered extensive damage, officials said.

Several key structures in Santiago, including ministry buildings, suffered heavy damage, said Education Minister Monica Jimenez, who added that government employees would be asked to stay home Monday as officials assesses structural safety. Public schools that were to have reopened Monday after summer vacation will now reopen March 8.

The quake, lasting 30 seconds or more, struck about 3:30 a.m. local time Saturday. Santiago residents, many of them in their pajamas, poured into the streets.

A chemical fire at a factory raged out of control and there was smoke in much of the city. Telephone and electric power were still out in one-third of the capital as of the afternoon and communication was problematic because of the collapse of several cellphone towers.

Santiago faces possible mass transit chaos next week, with the city's metro closed indefinitely so that officials can review the tracks. President Bachelet asked that drivers not use major highways, because traffic lights weren't working and many pedestrian bridges had collapsed onto the freeways

Major damage was reported in Concepcion, the country's second-biggest city and the one closest to the epicenter. Several fires were reported due to gas leaks. A 13-story building also collapsed.

Concepcion Mayor Jacqueline van Rysselberghe described her city as "Dante-esque" in the aftermath of the quake, saying two bridges over the Biobio River had collapsed and others were damaged. She said officials still were not sure of the death toll.

The city is home to one of the largest universities in the South American nation, Universidad de Concepcion, a public school with a decidedly liberal student body. Its grounds are often the site of socialist and anarchist protests.

Kraul is a special correspondent. Times staff writers Janet Hook in Washington and Robert Faturechi in Los Angeles; and special correspondents Andres D'Alessandro in Buenos Aires and Eva Vergara and Lauren Williams in Santiago, Chile, contributed to this report.

http://www.latimes.com/news/nation-and-world/la-fg-chile-earthquake28-2010feb28,0,2152464.story

 

[Giuseppe]

Re: 8.8 EQ - Offshore MAULE, Chile - 2,391K exposed to severe shaking & mod-heavy damage - spreading tsunamis being recorded - "at least" 147 Deaths

Re: 8.8 EQ - Offshore MAULE, Chile - 2,391K exposed to severe shaking & mod-heavy damage - spreading tsunamis being recorded - "at least" 147 Deaths

Wary Chileans sleep outside; quake affects millions (AlertNet, edited)

Wary Chileans sleep outside; quake affects millions

28 Feb 2010 06:35:42 GMT
Source: Reuters

(For full coverage, click on [nN27174408])
(Adds tsunami reports in Japan, Russia)

* Chileans fear more powerful aftershocks
* Death toll tops 300
* Incoming president faces daunting rebuilding task
* Economic impact could be deep

By Mario Naranjo
CONCEPCION, Chile, Feb 28 (Reuters)


Chileans fearful of aftershocks camped outside on Sunday in towns shattered by a massive earthquake, as officials struggled to grasp the scale of the damage to the country's transport, energy and housing infrastructure.

One of the world's most powerful earthquakes in a century hammered Chile early on Saturday, killing more than 300 people as it toppled buildings and triggered a tsunami that pushed across the Pacific.

While the apparently low death toll could be considered a lucky escape from such a strong temblor, the quake dealt a serious blow to infrastructure in the world's No. 1 copper producer and one of Latin America's most stable economies.

A tsunami killed at least four people on Chile's Juan Fernandez islands and caused serious damage to the port town of Talcahuano.

On the other side of the Pacific, Japan's northern coast had tsunami waves of up to 36 inches (90 cm) and officials feared bigger ones could be coming.

Authorities in Russia's far eastern Kamchatka Peninsula reported waves of 31 inches (80 cm) but no damage was reported and the tsunami alert was lifted.

Two million people in Chile have been affected by the earthquake, said President Michelle Bachelet, adding that officials were still trying to evaluate the "enormous quantity of damage."

The earthquake has raised a daunting first challenge for billionaire Sebastian Pinera, who was elected Chile's president in January in a shift to the political right and who takes office in two weeks.

DAUNTING TASK AHEAD
"We're preparing ourselves for an additional task, a task that wasn't part of our governing plan: assuming responsibility for rebuilding our country," he told reporters on Saturday.

"It's going to be a very big task and we're going to need resources."

Some economists predicted a deep impact on Chile's economy after the quake damaged its industrial and agricultural sectors in the worst-hit regions, possibly putting pressure on its currency.

Government officials said the copper industry had enough stocks to meet its commitments despite a production shutdown at two major mines due to the quake. [ID:NN27177467]

But the government faces the task of helping Chileans rebuild an estimated half a million homes that were severely damaged as well as hundreds of buckled roads and collapsed bridges.

In Concepcion, a city of 670,000 people 70 miles (115 km) southwest of the quake's epicenter, hundreds of people spent the night outside in tents and make-shift shelters.

The city's old houses made of adobe appeared to have borne the brunt of the damage, but a 15-storey apartment block also collapsed, likely killing or trapping many people inside.

The city was mostly blanketed in darkness, with the only light coming from bonfires and occasional police cars. Crushed cars, downed power lines and shattered glass littered the streets.

Mauri Arancibia, 23, said she was relieved to learn her aunt emerged unscathed after her adobe house collapsed on her. But she said she was shaken by the scenes of destruction in Concepcion.

"I'm really worried, I don't know what to do," she said.

(Additional reporting by Kevin Gray; Writing by Stuart Grudgings; editing by Todd Eastham)
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​

<cite cite="http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N28187458.htm">Reuters AlertNet - Wary Chileans sleep outside; quake affects millions</cite>

 

[Giuseppe]

Re: 8.8 EQ - Offshore MAULE, Chile - 2,391K exposed to severe shaking & mod-heavy damage - spreading tsunamis being recorded - "at least" 147 Deaths

Re: 8.8 EQ - Offshore MAULE, Chile - 2,391K exposed to severe shaking & mod-heavy damage - spreading tsunamis being recorded - "at least" 147 Deaths

90-cm tsunami hits Japan's northern coast - TV (AlertNet, edited)

90-cm tsunami hits Japan's northern coast - TV

28 Feb 2010 06:34:46 GMT
Source: Reuters
TOKYO, Feb 28 (Reuters)


A 90 centimetre (35 inch) tsunami hit Japan's northern Pacific coast on Sunday after a massive earthquake struck Chile the day before, Japanese media reported.

The tsunami was recorded in the town of Kuji, about 500 km (310 miles) northeast of Tokyo, national broadcaster NHK reported.

Officials have ordered some 245,000 households along Japan's Pacific Coast to evacuate to higher ground after Saturday's quake struck Chile, killing more than 300 people.

In May 1960, a tsunami struck the coasts of Japan's northernmost island of Hokkaido and other northern Pacific coastal areas after an earthquake in Chile, killing around 140 people.
-
​

<cite cite="http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/TKE006310.htm">Reuters AlertNet - 90-cm tsunami hits Japan's northern coast - TV</cite>

 

[Giuseppe]

Re: 8.8 EQ - Offshore MAULE, Chile - 2,391K exposed to severe shaking & mod-heavy damage - spreading tsunamis being recorded - "at least" 147 Deaths

Re: 8.8 EQ - Offshore MAULE, Chile - 2,391K exposed to severe shaking & mod-heavy damage - spreading tsunamis being recorded - "at least" 147 Deaths

Russia warns of tsunami after Chile quake (AlertNet, edited)

Russia warns of tsunami after Chile quake

28 Feb 2010 04:37:39 GMT
Source: Reuters

(adds quote, details)

MOSCOW, Feb 28 (Reuters)


Russia warned that a tsunami of up to 2 metres could hit its east coast on Sunday following a major earthquake in Chile, prompting the evacuation of residents from low-lying regions.

A wave of between 1 and 2 metres was expected to hit the Kuril Islands and the Kamchatka Peninsula, both northeast of Japan, from around 0400 GMT, the Sakhalin Tsunami Centre said.

"The wave has not hit yet, but we are monitoring the situation closely," said Tamara Moiseichik, a specialist at the centre, shortly after 0400 GMT.

Dozens of people were evacuated from coastal homes on the Kuril Islands, the state-run RIA news agency reported, quoting a local official. Most of the residents of the islands live on high land, the official said.

The remote archipelago of sparsely inhabited islands stretches northeast from Japan to the Kamchatka peninsula. Japan claims four of the islands, and the territorial dispute has soured relations with Russia since the Second World War.

A number of boats have left ports to take refuge from the wave in the open sea to the west of the islands, an official from the regional administration told RIA.

Japan evacuated thousands of people from its northern coasts over fears that 3 metre waves could hit. The tsunami was racing across the Pacific from Chile where the 8.8 magnitude earthquake struck on Saturday, killing more than 300 people.

(Writing by Conor Humphries; Editing by Alison Williams)
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​

<cite cite="http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/LDE61R021.htm">Reuters AlertNet - Russia warns of tsunami after Chile quake</cite>

 

[Giuseppe]

Re: 8.8 EQ - Offshore MAULE, Chile - 2,391K exposed to severe shaking & mod-heavy damage - spreading tsunamis being recorded - "at least" 147 Deaths

Re: 8.8 EQ - Offshore MAULE, Chile - 2,391K exposed to severe shaking & mod-heavy damage - spreading tsunamis being recorded - "at least" 147 Deaths

North Japan hit by 30 cm tsunami after warning (AlertNet, edited)

North Japan hit by 30 cm tsunami after warning

28 Feb 2010 06:17:34 GMT
Source: Reuters

(For stories on Chile's quake, pls click on ID:nN2714408]

* 30 cm tsunami hits Japan's northern island of Hokkaido
* Main Japan islands brace for tsunami of 3 metres or more
* PM warns residents not to approach shore

(Adds latest tsunami; quote from evacuated woman)

By Elaine Lies and Yoko Kubota
TOKYO, Feb 28 (Reuters)


Tsunami waves of up to 30 cm (12 inches) hit Japan's northern Pacific coast and a tiny southern island on Sunday following a massive earthquake in Chile the day before, as the country worried that worse was in store.

Officials have ordered some 245,000 households along Japan's Pacific coast to evacuate after one of the world's most powerful earthquakes in a century battered Chile on Saturday, killing more than 300 people. [ID:nNLDE61Q02]

A 30 cm tsunami was recorded in the town of Nemuro, about 970 km (600 miles) northeast of Tokyo, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) said. Earlier, a 10 cm (4 inch) tsunami lapped the small island of Minamitori 1,950 km (1,200 miles) south of Tokyo, it said.

Sirens wailed in coastal towns on Japan's main islands and tens of thousands of people were urged to evacuate to higher ground after the JMA issued the tsunami warning for a wide swathe of Japan's Pacific coast.

"I panicked and couldn't think of what to bring. In the end I just brought a few things," an elderly woman at an evacuation centre in northern Japan told NHK.

It was the first warning for a major tsunami in 17 years and only the fourth since 1952, the Japan Meteorological Agency said.

"Carelessness could be the biggest enemy. In the past, even if the waves were not so big, there has been great damage with 2-metre high tsunami," Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama told reporters.

Train services were halted in many areas along the Pacific coast and some highways were closed.

Police cars and fire trucks patrolled coastal roads and fishing boats, seeking to avoid any tsunami, headed out to sea under gray skies, with snow flurries in some areas.

The area that could be hit hardest, where around 140 people died in a previous tsunami 50 years ago, has many small harbours that could concentrate the force of a tsunami.

"The waves could climb up the land, so for real safety you should evacuate to a place several times higher than the predicted height of the waves," JMA official Yasuo Sekita told a news conference.

FIRST MIGHT NOT BE BIGGEST
The agency said the first wave might not be the biggest and that the warning could remain in effect for a long time.

Tohoku Electric Power <9506.T> said it would keep operating its Onagawa and Higashidori nuclear plants on the northern Pacific coast.

"Both facilities are high up enough and they are structured so that they would not be affected by a tsunami," said Toshiya Aizawa, a spokesman at Tohoku Electric Power. [ID:nTOE61R00L]

TV footage showed elderly women with cloth-wrapped bundles on their backs gathering at evacuation centres as cars pulled up and other women unloaded shopping bags filled with belongings.

The tsunami warning covered the eastern seaboard of Japan, although for Tokyo Bay and many other areas the warnings were for waves of only around one metre (3 ft), similar to that seen earlier in Hawaii and New Zealand.In May 1960, a tsunami struck the coasts of Japan's northernmost island of Hokkaido and other northern Pacific coastal areas after an earthquake in Chile, killing around 140 people. Since then, many harbours have had sea gates installed to try to protect from tsunami and storms. Authorities ordered these closed on Sunday.

"Coastal barriers have been built since the 1960 tsunami so we can't simply compare the situation with that time but it is still crucial that people evacuate,' said Masaaki Kubo of the Kamaishi Eastern Fishery Union in Iwate, in northern Honshu.

Bigger boats were heading out to sea ahead of the tsunami's arrival but smaller boats were staying in the harbour, he said.

The same area has been struck by deadly tsunami in the past.

In 1896, a magnitude 8.5 Sanriku earthquake and tsunami left more than 22,000 dead in northeastern Japan. Another 8.1 temblor hit the same region in 1933, killing 3,064.

Japan's tsunami warning system has been upgraded several times since its inception in 1952, including after a 7.8 magnitude quake in 1993 that almost instantly triggered a 30-metre wave before a warning could be given. About 190 of the 230 people killed in the quake were victims of the surging sea.

(Additional reporting by Linda Sieg and Chisa Fujioka; Editing by David Fox)
-
​

<cite cite="http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/TOE61R009.htm">Reuters AlertNet - North Japan hit by 30 cm tsunami after warning</cite>

 

[Giuseppe]

Re: 8.8 EQ - Offshore MAULE, Chile - 2,391K exposed to severe shaking & mod-heavy damage - spreading tsunamis being recorded - "at least" 147 Deaths

Re: 8.8 EQ - Offshore MAULE, Chile - 2,391K exposed to severe shaking & mod-heavy damage - spreading tsunamis being recorded - "at least" 147 Deaths

Tsunami waves hit Pacific regions after Chile quake (AlertNet, edited)

Tsunami waves hit Pacific regions after Chile quake

28 Feb 2010 07:49:25 GMT
Source: Reuters

(For stories on Chile's quake, pls click on [ID:nN2714408]

* 90 cm wave hits Japan; country braces for worse
* First wave reaches New Zealand as residents evacuate
* Russia's far eastern Kamchatka region lifts warning
* Hawaii avoids serious damage

By Elaine Lies and Yoko Kubota
TOKYO, Feb 28 (Reuters)


Tsunami waves of up to 1.5 metres (5 ft) hit far-flung Pacific regions from the Russian far east and Japan to New Zealand's remote Chatham Islands on Sunday after a massive earthquake struck Chile, killing more than 300 people.

Authorities ordered hundreds of thousands of residents in Japan, New Zealand, the Philippines and Russia's Kamchatka to evacuate after Saturday's Chile quake, one of the world's most powerful in a century, but there were no immediate reports of damage.

In Japan, a 1.45 metre tsunami hit the fishing port of Otsuchi on the north Pacific coast, Kyodo news agency said. Smaller waves hit a swathe of the country from the small island of Minamitori 1,950 km (1,200 miles) south of Tokyo to Hokkaido island in the north, the Japan Meteorological Agency said.

Japanese officials have ordered or advised some 540,000 households along the country's Pacific coast to evacuate and said later waves could be much bigger.

"The full-fledged tsunami waves are starting to arrive," University of Tokyo professor Yoshinobu Tsuji told NHK public TV.

"This is not the last one," he said.

It was Japan's first major tsunami warning in 17 years and only the fourth since 1952, the Japan Meteorological Agency said.

"Carelessness could be the biggest enemy. In the past, even if the waves were not so big, there has been great damage with 2-metre high tsunami," Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama told reporters.

Train services were halted in many areas along the Pacific coast and some highways were closed.

Police cars and fire trucks patrolled coastal roads and fishing boats, seeking to avoid any tsunami, headed out to sea under gray skies, with snow flurries in some areas.

The area that could be hit hardest, where around 140 people died in a previous tsunami 50 years ago, has many small harbours that could concentrate the force of a tsunami.

"The waves could climb up the land, so for real safety you should evacuate to a place several times higher than the predicted height of the waves," JMA official Yasuo Sekita told a news conference.

The agency said the first wave might not be the biggest and that the warning could remain in effect for a long time.

NO STRANGER TO TSUNAMIS
TV footage showed elderly women with cloth-wrapped bundles on their backs gathering at evacuation centres as cars pulled up and other women unloaded shopping bags filled with belongings.

The tsunami warning covered the eastern seaboard of Japan, although for Tokyo Bay and many other areas the warnings were for waves of only around one metre (3 ft).

The area is no stranger to tsunamis.

In 1896, a magnitude 8.5 earthquake and tsunami left more than 22,000 dead in northeastern Japan. Another of magnitude 8.1 hit the same region in 1933, killing 3,064.

In May 1960, a tsunami struck the coasts of Hokkaido and other northern Pacific coastal areas after an earthquake in Chile, killing around 140 people.

Since then, many harbours have had sea gates installed to try to protect from tsunami and storms.

"Coastal barriers have been built since the 1960 tsunami so we can't simply compare the situation with that time but it is still crucial that people evacuate,' said Masaaki Kubo of the Kamaishi Eastern Fishery Union in Iwate, in northern Honshu.

The first waves to hit New Zealand were reported at the remote Chatham Islands, around 800 kilometres (500 miles) east of New Zealand, with surges of up to 1.5 metres measured, the Civil Defence Ministry said.

A resident on one of the smaller islands in the group, Pitt, said the surges were continuing and getting bigger.

"The bay empties right out. It takes about a minute and a half and then it surges back in, in about the same amount of time," Bernadette Malinson told Radio New Zealand. "The surges have been getting bigger -- at least 2 metres at present."

Authorities in Russia's far eastern Kamchatka region lifted a tsunami alert after a series of small waves appeared to cause no damage, a spokeswoman for the Emergencies Ministry said.

A tsunami hit beaches in eastern Australian but there were not initial reports of damage.

Australia issued a tsunami alert for most of its east coast and eastern parts of the island state of Tasmania, but authorities said there were no concerns about major innundation.

Hawaii dodged serious damage on Saturday when a tsunami merely lapped ashore, although residents were warned to stay away from coastal areas because the ocean could remain unsettled for several more hours.

(Additional reporting by Chisa Fujioka; Writing by Linda Sieg)
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​

<cite cite="http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/TOE61R014.htm">Reuters AlertNet - Tsunami waves hit Pacific regions after Chile quake</cite>

 

[Giuseppe]

Re: 8.8 EQ - Offshore MAULE, Chile - 2,391K exposed to severe shaking & mod-heavy damage - spreading tsunamis being recorded - "at least" 147 Deaths

Re: 8.8 EQ - Offshore MAULE, Chile - 2,391K exposed to severe shaking & mod-heavy damage - spreading tsunamis being recorded - "at least" 147 Deaths

Pacific nations brace for tsunami

'State of catastrophe' is declared as tremors devastate city of Concepci?n and death toll tops 200 with more casualties feared
A huge earthquake has shaken Chile, killing more than 200 people, causing buildings to collapse, starting fires and unleashing a tsunami across the Pacific. With a magnitude of 8.8, it opened cracks in the earth, flipped cars and devastated the city of Concepci?n, 70 miles from the epicentre.
The number of dead quickly rose to 214, and is expected to increase. David Miliband, the foreign secretary, last night said there was no information yet on British casualties.
The Chilean president, Michelle Bachelet, declared a "state of catastrophe" as emergency teams scrambled over rubble looking for survivors. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre issued an alert for countries in Latin America as well as Japan, Russia, the Philippines, Indonesia and French Polynesia. A massive wave hit Robinson Crusoe island, the largest of the Juan Fern?ndez archipelago, where at least three people were killed. Residents were evacuated from the coastal areas of Easter Island.
Sirens sounded across Hawaii at 6am local time (4pm GMT)on Saturday . The island's beaches were cleared as people retreated to higher ground, and tourists were moved to the upper storeys of hotels. Residents rushed to buy supplies before driving inland.
The US Geological Survey said the quake struck at a depth of 22 miles in the early hours of Saturday. It was much more powerful than the quake that devastated Haiti in January, but because it was deeper, and Chile's buildings are sturdier, there were fewer casualties.
President Bachelet said: "People should remain calm. We're doing everything we can with all the forces we have. Any information [we have] we will share immediately."
The disaster was the strongest earthquake to hit Chile in 50 years and one of the strongest ever measured. The quake shook buildings in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and was felt as far away as S?o Paulo in Brazil ? 1,800 miles to the east.
The historic town centre of Talca, just 65 miles from the epicentre, largely collapsed. The weakest buildings, made of adobe mud and straw, were mostly commercial premises and were not inhabited at the time. Neighbours pulled at least five people from the rubble.
Collapsed roads and bridges complicated travel across the country. Electricity, water and phone lines were cut to many areas, so there was little word of casualties or damage from more remote areas. In Santiago, the capital, 200 miles north-east of the epicentre, a car dangled from a collapsed overpass; the national Fine Arts Museum was badly damaged, and an apartment building's two-storey parking lot had pancaked, smashing about 50 cars.
Bachelet said that she had no information on the number of people injured. Chile had not asked for assistance from other countries. "The system is functioning. People should remain calm. We're doing everything we can with all the forces we have," said the president.
Powerful aftershocks shook the country's coastline. There were 29 of magnitude 5 or greater, and one reaching 6.9, the US Geological Survey reported.
Modern buildings in Santiago have been built to withstand earthquakes, but many older ones were heavily damaged, including the Nuestra Se?ora de la Providencia church, where the bell tower had collapsed. A bridge just outside the capital also collapsed, and at least one car was turned upside down. Several hospitals were evacuated after being damaged, Bachelet said.
Santiago's airport will remain closed for at least 24 hours after the passenger terminal suffered major damage, airport director Eduardo del Canto told Chilean television. Television images showed smashed windows, partially collapsed ceilings and deserted pedestrian walkways at the airport. Santiago's subway network was closed, and hundreds of buses were trapped at a terminal by a damaged bridge.
In Concepci?n, Chile's second largest city, which lies 70 miles from the epicentre, nurses and residents pushed the injured through the streets on stretchers. Others walked around in a daze wrapped in blankets, some carrying infants in their arms. A 15-storey building collapsed, leaving only a few floors intact.
"I was on the eighth floor and all of a sudden I was down here," said Fernando Abarzua, marvelling that he had escaped with no major injuries. He said a relative was still trapped in the rubble six hours after the quake, "but he keeps shouting, saying he's OK", he said.
Marco Vidal, a tour director for Grand Circle Travel, who was travelling with a group of 34 Americans, was on the 19th floor of the Crowne Plaza hotel in Santiago when the quake struck. "All the things started to fall. The lamps, everything, was going on the floor," he said. "I felt terrified."
Cynthia Iocono, from Linwood, Pennsylvania, first thought the quake was a train. "But then I thought: 'Oh, there's no train here.' And then the lamps flew off the dresser and my TV flew off on to the floor and crashed."
The earthquake struck after concert-goers had left South America's leading music festival in the coastal city of Vi?a del Mar, but it caught party-goers leaving a club. "It was very bad. People were screaming. Some people were running, others appeared paralysed. I was one of them," said one witness.

• Chile
• Natural disasters and extreme weather

Rory Carroll
Jonathan Franklin

guardian.co.uk ? Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds
View Original Article

 

[Giuseppe]

Re: 8.8 EQ - Offshore MAULE, Chile - 2,391K exposed to severe shaking & mod-heavy damage - spreading tsunamis being recorded - "at least" 200 Deaths

Re: 8.8 EQ - Offshore MAULE, Chile - 2,391K exposed to severe shaking & mod-heavy damage - spreading tsunamis being recorded - "at least" 200 Deaths

Chile earthquake death toll climbs above 400 (AlertNet, edited)

DEATH TOLL IN CHILE QUAKE RISES TO MORE THAN 400 - EMERGENCY OFFICIALS

28 Feb 2010 15:39:00 GMT
Source: Reuters

DEATH TOLL IN CHILE QUAKE RISES TO MORE THAN 400 - EMERGENCY OFFICIALS
-
​

<cite cite="http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N2832969.htm">Reuters AlertNet - Chile earthquake death toll climbs above 400</cite>

 

[Giuseppe]

Re: 8.8 EQ - Offshore MAULE, Chile - 2,391K exposed to severe shaking & mod-heavy damage - spreading tsunamis being recorded - "at least" 200 Deaths

Re: 8.8 EQ - Offshore MAULE, Chile - 2,391K exposed to severe shaking & mod-heavy damage - spreading tsunamis being recorded - "at least" 200 Deaths

Rescuers dig for Chile quake survivors, 400 dead (AlertNet, edited)

Rescuers dig for Chile quake survivors, 400 dead

28 Feb 2010 15:53:56 GMT
Source: Reuters

(For full coverage, click on [ID:nCHILE])

* Death toll tops 400; 100 feared trapped in building
* Rescuers search for survivors as looting flares
* Incoming president faces daunting reconstruction task
* Quake causes tsunami waves in Japan, Russia

By Mario Naranjo
CONCEPCION, Chile, Feb 28 (Reuters)


Chilean rescue teams used shovels and sledgehammers on Sunday to find the survivors and victims of a huge earthquake that unleashed a Pacific tsunami and triggered looting by desperate residents.

Emergency officials said the death toll from Saturday's quake, one of the world's most powerful in a century, rose to more than 400 people. Homes and highways were wrecked, dealing a heavy blow to infrastructure in the world's No. 1 copper producer and one of Latin America's most stable economies.

In the hard-hit city of Concepcion, about 500 km (310 miles) south of the capital Santiago, about 100 people were feared trapped in a collapsed apartment block where rescuers worked through the night to find survivors.

Police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse a crowd of looters carrying off food and electrical appliances from a supermarket. Television images showed people stuffing groceries and other goods into shopping trolleys and looting spread to other stores as police looked on.

"People have gone days without eating," said Orlando Salazar, one of the looters at the supermarket. "The only option is to come here and get stuff for ourselves."

Concepcion's mayor, Jacqueline van Rysselberghe, said the situation was getting "out of control" due to shortages of basic supplies, La Tercera reported on its website.

"We've got a very complicated situation and the people feel very vulnerable," she told local radio, adding that the looting was "totally unjustifiable."

AFTERSHOCKS
Two million people in Chile were affected by the 8.8-magnitude temblor, said President Michelle Bachelet, who added that it would take officials several days to evaluate the "enormous quantity of damage."

The quake damaged or destroyed 1.5 million homes, buckled roads and toppled bridges, posing a daunting reconstruction challenge for President-elect Sebastian Pinera who takes office in two weeks.

Crushed cars, fallen power lines and rubble from wrecked buildings littered the streets of Concepcion, which has about 670,000 inhabitants and lies 70 miles (115 km) southwest of the quake's epicenter.

A string of strong aftershocks have rocked the country and strong one shook buildings in the capital, Santiago, early on Sunday. Thousands of Concepcion residents camped out in tents or makeshift shelters, fearing fresh tremors.

Firefighters used drills and shovels to search for signs of life in the rubble and battled to free dozens of people believed trapped in a collapsed apartment building.

"We spent the whole night working, smashing through walls to find survivors. The biggest problem is fuel, we need fuel for our machinery and water for our people," Commander Marcelo Plaza said.

DAUNTING TASK
The economic damage from the could be between $15 billion and $30 billion, risk assessor Eqecat said.

Some economists predicted a deep impact on Chile's economy after the quake damaged its industrial and agricultural sectors in the worst-hit regions, possibly putting pressure on its currency. [ID:nN27194279]

Two major copper mines shut down by the quake were due to resume operations on Sunday, but analysts feared power outages could still curtail supplies from the world's No. 1 producer. [ID:nN28209603]

Chile's fourth-largest mine El Teniente, which accounts for more than 7 percent of national output, and the nearby Andina mine would both reopen, mining officials said on Sunday.

There was no information available on Sunday on the two Anglo-American <aal.l> mines where outages have halted around one-fifth of Chile's total production.

Saturday's quake triggered tsunami waves that killed at least four people on Chile's Juan Fernandez islands and caused serious damage to the port town of Talcahuano, flooding streets and lifting fishing boats out of the sea.

On the other side of the Pacific, Japan's northeastern coast registered waves of up to 4 feet (1.2 meters), but officials later lowered the state of alert. [ID:nTOE61R014]

Hundreds of thousands of people in Japan, New Zealand, the Philippines and Russia's far eastern Kamchatka Peninsula were told to evacuate for fear of a tsunami caused by the Chilean quake, but there were no immediate reports of damage.

(Additional reporting by Simon Gardner and Alonso Soto in Santiago and London bureau; Writing by Stuart Grudgings and Helen Popper; Editing by Kieran Murray)
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</aal.l>​

<cite cite="http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N28210286.htm">Reuters AlertNet - Rescuers dig for Chile quake survivors, 400 dead</cite>

 

[Pathfinder]

Re: 8.8 EQ - Offshore MAULE, Chile - 2,391K exposed to severe shaking & mod-heavy damage - spreading tsunamis being recorded - "at least" 200 Deaths

Re: 8.8 EQ - Offshore MAULE, Chile - 2,391K exposed to severe shaking & mod-heavy damage - spreading tsunamis being recorded - "at least" 200 Deaths

Source: http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/recenteqsww/Quakes/quakes_big.php

Update time = Sun Feb 28 16:08:25 UTC 2010


<TABLE cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=1 border=0><TBODY><TR><TH></TH><TH align=middle>MAG </TH><TH align=middle>UTC DATE-TIME
y/m/d h:m:s

</TH><TH align=middle>LAT
deg

</TH><TH align=middle>LON
deg

</TH><TH align=middle>DEPTH
km

</TH><TH>Region</TH></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>MAP</TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>5.2 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>2010/02/28 15:46:26 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-35.362 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-72.604 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>35.0 </TD><TD vAlign=top>OFFSHORE MAULE, CHILE</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>MAP</TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>5.0 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>2010/02/28 15:26:56 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-35.129 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-72.053 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>35.0 </TD><TD vAlign=top>MAULE, CHILE</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>MAP</TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>5.1 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>2010/02/28 14:55:26 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-33.853 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-73.114 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>39.3 </TD><TD vAlign=top>OFF THE COAST OF VALPARAISO, CHILE</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>MAP</TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>5.2 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>2010/02/28 14:50:33 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-33.824 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-73.164 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>23.6 </TD><TD vAlign=top>OFF THE COAST OF VALPARAISO, CHILE</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>MAP</TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>5.0 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>2010/02/28 13:47:06 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-35.328 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-72.918 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>35.0 </TD><TD vAlign=top>OFFSHORE MAULE, CHILE</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>MAP</TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>5.2 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>2010/02/28 12:18:59 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-38.129 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-73.341 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>26.5 </TD><TD vAlign=top>BIO-BIO, CHILE</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>MAP</TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>5.1 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>2010/02/28 12:13:27 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>2.146 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>98.906 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>51.3 </TD><TD vAlign=top>NORTHERN SUMATRA, INDONESIA</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>MAP</TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>5.0 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>2010/02/28 12:01:15 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-35.809 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-72.786 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>35.0 </TD><TD vAlign=top>OFFSHORE MAULE, CHILE</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>MAP</TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>5.2 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>2010/02/28 11:50:36 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-35.067 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-72.730 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>20.0 </TD><TD vAlign=top>OFFSHORE MAULE, CHILE</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>MAP</TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>6.1 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>2010/02/28 11:25:34 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-34.906 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-71.731 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>35.0 </TD><TD vAlign=top>MAULE, CHILE</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>MAP</TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>5.0 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>2010/02/28 11:14:27 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-35.324 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-72.655 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>35.0 </TD><TD vAlign=top>OFFSHORE MAULE, CHILE</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>MAP</TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>5.1 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>2010/02/28 10:43:11 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-38.408 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-75.219 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>35.0 </TD><TD vAlign=top>OFF THE COAST OF ARAUCANIA, CHILE</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>MAP</TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>5.3 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>2010/02/28 10:26:53 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-1.110 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-80.310 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>40.8 </TD><TD vAlign=top>NEAR THE COAST OF ECUADOR</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>MAP</TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>5.0 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>2010/02/28 10:11:07 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-33.910 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-72.030 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>35.0 </TD><TD vAlign=top>OFFSHORE LIBERTADOR O'HIGGINS, CHILE</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>MAP</TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>5.2 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>2010/02/28 09:14:54 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-33.593 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-71.765 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>35.0 </TD><TD vAlign=top>OFFSHORE VALPARAISO, CHILE</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>MAP</TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>5.6 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>2010/02/28 08:17:45 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>34.867 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>141.444 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>10.0 </TD><TD vAlign=top>OFF THE EAST COAST OF HONSHU, JAPAN</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>MAP</TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>5.0 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>2010/02/28 08:07:46 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-35.182 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-72.517 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>35.0 </TD><TD vAlign=top>OFFSHORE MAULE, CHILE</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>MAP</TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>5.0 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>2010/02/28 07:36:30 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-37.763 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-73.141 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>35.0 </TD><TD vAlign=top>BIO-BIO, CHILE</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>MAP</TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>5.1 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>2010/02/28 07:14:21 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-38.345 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-73.514 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>35.0 </TD><TD vAlign=top>OFFSHORE ARAUCANIA, CHILE</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>MAP</TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>5.3 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>2010/02/28 05:19:35 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-37.705 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-73.412 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>35.0 </TD><TD vAlign=top>BIO-BIO, CHILE</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>MAP</TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>5.3 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>2010/02/28 05:13:59 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-37.458 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-73.014 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>35.0 </TD><TD vAlign=top>BIO-BIO, CHILE</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>MAP</TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>5.0 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>2010/02/28 05:04:06 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-35.232 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-71.214 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>35.0 </TD><TD vAlign=top>MAULE, CHILE</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>MAP</TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>5.3 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>2010/02/28 04:55:49 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-33.925 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-71.945 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>35.0 </TD><TD vAlign=top>OFFSHORE LIBERTADOR O'HIGGINS, CHILE</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>MAP</TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>5.0 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>2010/02/28 04:29:12 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-34.905 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-69.631 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>35.0 </TD><TD vAlign=top>MENDOZA, ARGENTINA</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>MAP</TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>5.0 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>2010/02/28 04:17:52 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-34.723 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-72.183 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>35.0 </TD><TD vAlign=top>OFFSHORE MAULE, CHILE</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>MAP</TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>5.2 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>2010/02/28 03:33:50 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>25.952 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>128.385 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>35.0 </TD><TD vAlign=top>RYUKYU ISLANDS, JAPAN</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>MAP</TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>5.2 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>2010/02/28 03:23:49 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-37.681 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-73.533 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>35.0 </TD><TD vAlign=top>BIO-BIO, CHILE</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>MAP</TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>5.1 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>2010/02/28 03:14:12 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-33.959 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-73.195 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>35.0 </TD><TD vAlign=top>OFF THE COAST OF VALPARAISO, CHILE</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>MAP</TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>5.1 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>2010/02/28 02:51:47 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>25.994 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>128.394 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>35.0 </TD><TD vAlign=top>RYUKYU ISLANDS, JAPAN</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>MAP</TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>5.1 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>2010/02/28 02:41:10 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-38.054 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-73.213 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>35.0 </TD><TD vAlign=top>BIO-BIO, CHILE</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>MAP</TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>5.4 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>2010/02/28 02:38:32 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-38.270 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-73.633 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>35.0 </TD><TD vAlign=top>OFFSHORE BIO-BIO, CHILE</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>MAP</TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>5.0 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>2010/02/28 02:04:29 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-34.610 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-73.532 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>35.0 </TD><TD vAlign=top>OFF COAST OF LIBERTADOR O'HIGGINS, CHILE</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>MAP</TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>5.2 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>2010/02/28 01:58:50 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-34.876 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-72.646 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>35.0 </TD><TD vAlign=top>OFFSHORE MAULE, CHILE</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>MAP</TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>5.2 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>2010/02/28 01:45:29 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-34.436 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-73.728 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>35.0 </TD><TD vAlign=top>OFF COAST OF LIBERTADOR O'HIGGINS, CHILE</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

 

[Giuseppe]

Re: 8.8 EQ - Offshore MAULE, Chile - 2,391K exposed to severe shaking & mod-heavy damage - spreading tsunamis being recorded - "at least" 400 Deaths

Re: 8.8 EQ - Offshore MAULE, Chile - 2,391K exposed to severe shaking & mod-heavy damage - spreading tsunamis being recorded - "at least" 400 Deaths

Quake, tsunamis kill more than 700 in Chile (AlertNet, edited)

Quake, tsunamis kill more than 700 in Chile

28 Feb 2010 19:51:39 GMT
Source: Reuters

(For full coverage, click on [ID:nCHILE])

* Death toll surges over 700, likely to rise
* Rescuers search for survivors as looting flares
* Incoming president faces daunting reconstruction task
* Quake causes tsunami waves in Japan, Russia

(Recasts, adds president's quote)

By Mario Naranjo
CONCEPCION, Chile, Feb 28 (Reuters)


A massive earthquake and tsunamis killed 350 people in one Chilean coastal town, pushing the total death toll higher on Sunday as the government tried to get aid to hungry survivors and halt looting.

President Michelle Bachelet said at least 708 people had been killed and called for calm as people desperate for food and water looted stores in some areas worst hit by Saturday's 8.8-magnitude quake, one of the world's biggest in a century.

Television images showed cars tossed on top of shattered houses and boats lifted far from the waterfront in the coastal towns of Pelluhue and in Constitucion, where 350 deaths alone were reported.

"It's an enormous catastrophe ... there's a growing number of missing people," Bachelet said, adding that food and medical aid was being sent to help the roughly 2 million people affected by the quake.

The quake wrecked hundreds of thousands of homes, mangled highways and bridges and dealt a heavy blow to infrastructure in the world's No. 1 copper producer and one of Latin America's most stable economies.

A lack of water, food and fuel sharpened the hardship for the hundreds of thousands of people left homeless, and widespread disruption to the power supply threatened to hamper Chilean industry's recovery.

In the hard-hit city of Concepcion, about 500 km (310 miles) south of Santiago, about 60 people were feared to have been crushed to death in a collapsed apartment block where rescuers worked through the night to find survivors.

The government imposed a curfew in Concepcion and the Maule region on Sunday in a bid to stop looting.

Police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse a crowd of looters carrying off food and electrical appliances from one supermarket in Concepcion. Television images showed people stuffing groceries and other goods into shopping trolleys.

"People have gone days without eating," said Orlando Salazar, one of the looters at the supermarket. "The only option is to come here and get stuff for ourselves."

Concepcion's mayor, Jacqueline van Rysselberghe, said the situation was getting "out of control" due to shortages of basic supplies and called for troops to be sent to the city.

AFTERSHOCKS
The quake poses a daunting reconstruction challenge for President-elect Sebastian Pinera, who takes office in two weeks.

Crushed cars, fallen power lines and rubble from wrecked buildings littered the streets of Concepcion, which has about 670,000 inhabitants and lies 115 km (70 miles) southwest of the quake's epicenter.

A string of strong aftershocks have rocked the country and thousands of Concepcion residents camped out in tents or makeshift shelters, fearing fresh tremors could topple weakened buildings.

Some economists predicted a deep impact on Chile's economy after the quake damaged its industrial and agricultural sectors in the worst-hit regions, possibly putting pressure on its currency. [ID:nN28209522]

The economic damage from the could be up to $30 billion, equivalent to about 15 percent of gross domestic product, said Eqecat, a firm that helps insurers model catastrophe risks.

Chile's fourth-largest copper mine El Teniente, which accounts for more than 7 percent of national output, and the nearby Andina mine were due to resume operations on Sunday but analysts feared power outages could still curtail supplies. [ID:nN28209603]

There was no information available on Sunday on two Anglo-American <aal.l> mines where power outages have halted production.

State television said Santiago's airport had started to receive international flights for the first time since the quake struck.

The quake triggered tsunamis as far afield as Japan and Russia, but there were no immediate reports of injuries or serious damage. [ID:nTOE61R014]

(Additional reporting by Simon Gardner and Alonso Soto in Santiago and London bureau; Writing by Stuart Grudgings and Helen Popper; Writing by Kieran Murray)
-
</aal.l>​

<cite cite="http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N28210286.htm">Reuters AlertNet - Quake, tsunamis kill more than 700 in Chile</cite>

 

[Giuseppe]

Re: 8.8 EQ - Offshore MAULE, Chile - 2,391K exposed to severe shaking & mod-heavy damage - spreading tsunamis being recorded - "at least" 400 Deaths

Re: 8.8 EQ - Offshore MAULE, Chile - 2,391K exposed to severe shaking & mod-heavy damage - spreading tsunamis being recorded - "at least" 400 Deaths

Chile imposes curfew in two quake hit areas- TV (AlertNet, edited)

Chile imposes curfew in two quake hit areas- TV

28 Feb 2010 19:48:00 GMT
Source: Reuters

SANTIAGO, Feb 28 (Reuters)


The Chilean government declared a curfew in two areas hard-hit by a powerful earthquake, state television reported on Sunday.

The curfew applies to Maule region and the city of Concepcion, where looting erupted a day after the magnitude-8.8 earthquake, which has killed more than 700 people.

(Reporting by Alonso Soto and Simon Gardner, Writing by Kevin Gray, Editing by Sandra Maler)
-
​

<cite cite="http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N28242549.htm">Reuters AlertNet - Chile imposes curfew in two quake hit areas- TV</cite>

 

[Pathfinder]

Re: 8.8 EQ - Offshore MAULE, Chile - 2,391K exposed to severe shaking & mod-heavy damage - spreading tsunamis being recorded - "at least" 400 Deaths

Re: 8.8 EQ - Offshore MAULE, Chile - 2,391K exposed to severe shaking & mod-heavy damage - spreading tsunamis being recorded - "at least" 400 Deaths

Two men stand in front of a destroyed building in Concepcion, Sunday, Feb. 28, 2010. A 8.8-magnitude earthquake hit Chile early Saturday.<CITE id=captionCite>(AP Photo/Aliosha Marquez)</CITE>

Police officers stand guard as people look on in front of a supermarket in Concepcion, Chile, Sunday, Feb. 28, 2010. A 8.8-magnitude earthquake hit Chile early Saturday.

Rescue workers search for victims and survivors after an apartment complex collapsed during an earthquake in Concepcion some 100 km (62 miles) south of the epicenter, February 27, 2010. A huge magnitude-8.8 earthquake struck Chile early on Saturday, knocking down homes and hospitals, and triggering a tsunami that rolled menacingly across the Pacific REUTERS/Jose Luis Saavedra <CITE id=captionCite>(CHILE - Tags: DISASTER ENVIRONMENT IMAGES OF THE DAY)</CITE>

People walk in a damaged area of Curanipe, some 389 km., about 241 miles, southwest Santiago, Sunday, Feb. 28, 2010. A magnitude-8.8 earthquake struck central Chile early Saturday.<CITE id=captionCite>(AP Photo/Roberto Candia)</CITE>

Residents inspect debris left by waves generated by a major earthquake near the epicenter in Dichato February 28, 2010. Chilean rescuers used shovels and sledgehammers on Sunday to find survivors of a huge earthquake in Chile that unleashed a Pacific tsunami and triggered looting by desperate and hungry residents.<CITE id=captionCite>REUTERS/Jose Luis Saavedra (CHILE - Tags: DISASTER ENVIRONMENT)</CITE>

<!-- end photoProvider --><CITE id=photoTimestamp>Sun Feb 28, 4:07 PM</CITE>
<CITE>A vehicle sits on the rubble of a house after an earthquake in Curanipe, some 389 km., about 241 miles, southwest Santiago, Sunday, Feb. 28, 2010. A 8.8-magnitude earthquake hit Chile early Saturday.<CITE id=captionCite>(AP Photo/Roberto Candia)</CITE> </CITE>
<CITE></CITE>
<CITE>

Debris is washed up by waves generated by a major earthquake near the epicenter in Dichato February 28, 2010. Chilean rescuers used shovels and sledgehammers on Sunday to find survivors of a huge earthquake in Chile that unleashed a Pacific tsunami and triggered looting by desperate and hungry residents.<CITE id=captionCite>REUTERS/Jose Luis Saavedra (CHILE - Tags: DISASTER ENVIRONMENT)</CITE>

The asphalt on the Bureo bridge along highway 5 is seen extremely cracked leaving the route cut to traffic near Mulchen, Chile a day after a huge 8.8-magnitude earthquake rocked Chile. Chile's earthquake toll soared past 700 on Sunday as rescuers raced to find survivors and the grim extent of the disaster emerged in coastal areas where homes were washed away by a giant wave.<CITE id=captionCite>(AFP/Daniel Garcia)</CITE>
<CITE></CITE>
<CITE></CITE>

People stand next to a damaged bridge after an earthquake in Pelluhue, some 322 kms, about 200 miles, southwest of Santiago, Sunday, Feb. 28, 2010. A 8.8-magnitude earthquake hit Chile early Saturday.<CITE id=captionCite>(AP </CITE>
<CITE></CITE>
<CITE>

Debris lie on the coast close to the epicenter of an earthquake that generated waves flooding many towns to the north and south, in Pelluhue February 28, 2010.<CITE id=captionCite>REUTERS/Victor Ruiz Caballero</CITE>

More photos at:

http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/Massi...=/100228/481/861c7ceb0f6240259222fbd4b0cdb14c
</CITE>




</CITE>

 

[Pathfinder]

Re: 8.8 EQ - Offshore MAULE, Chile - 2,391K exposed to severe shaking & mod-heavy damage - spreading tsunamis being recorded - "at least" 400 Deaths

Re: 8.8 EQ - Offshore MAULE, Chile - 2,391K exposed to severe shaking & mod-heavy damage - spreading tsunamis being recorded - "at least" 400 Deaths

Menlo Park USGS studying Chile quake event

Updated at 11:38 AM today

MENLO PARK (KGO) -- Earthquake experts at the U.S. Geological Service in Menlo Park were not surprised by Saturday's 8.8 earthquake in Chile, but they are certainly studying it closely.

Chile is even more prone to earthquakes than California. They are more likely to have larger ones there whereas experts would not expect to see an 8.8 earthquake in California. It is because of the Nazca plate which is shoving itself underneath South America.

This is an area that very frequently, causes extremely large earthquakes and from that standpoint, this is no surprise," said geophysicist Ross Stein. "This is an area that we would have expected to have large earthquakes on a regular basis."

Geologists say Saturday's quake was about 500 times larger than the earthquake that happened in Haiti last month. But, experts say Chile is better prepared and that is why the death toll is much smaller than in Haiti.


<!-- end relatedMod for "links" -->"That's a very positive message for everybody who lives in earthquake country, that we can prepare, and there are ways of designing structures that will not kill people when a great earthquake occurs," Walter Mooney said.

Chile did experience some massive damage. The earthquake was not only powerful, it also was not too far from the surface.

"This is not a very deep earthquake, what we would call a 'shallow subduction zone earthquake,'" Mooney said. "So, the measure of safety that's provided is not that significant in this case."

Geologists will now be watching closely for aftershocks. There have already been more than 40. They predict people on the outskirts of the quake are at risk, but earthquake-prone areas around the world should be OK.

"It hasn't really shifted our faults or increased the pressure on any of our faults," Mooney said.

The scientists are also interested in the tsunami the quake triggered. The point they want to emphasize is that people should never try to see a tsunami.

"By the time a tsunami gets on shore and is moving anywhere from 20 and 40 mph, the rule of thumb is if you see a tsunami it's too late to outrun it," Mooney said.

Two key factors helped create the tsunami. First, the quake happened underwater, off the coast of Chile. Secondly, it also occurred on a thrust fault which creates vertical movement and shoves water upwards.

Video link:

http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news/local/peninsula&id=7302356

 

[Giuseppe]

Re: 8.8 EQ - Offshore MAULE, Chile - 2,391K exposed to severe shaking & mod-heavy damage - spreading tsunamis being recorded - "at least" 400 Deaths

Re: 8.8 EQ - Offshore MAULE, Chile - 2,391K exposed to severe shaking & mod-heavy damage - spreading tsunamis being recorded - "at least" 400 Deaths

Chile troops impose curfew in quake-stricken towns (AlertNet, edited)

Chile troops impose curfew in quake-stricken towns

01 Mar 2010 05:09:53 GMT
Source: Reuters

(For full coverage, click on [ID:nCHILE])

* Death toll surges over 700, likely to rise
* Tsunamis devastate coastal communities
* Copper prices surge on markets

By Mario Naranjo
CONCEPCION, Chile, March 1 (Reuters)


Chile's government scrambled on Monday to provide aid to thousands of homeless in coastal towns devastated by a massive earthquake and tsunamis as 10,000 troops moved into stricken areas to quell looting.

The government sharply raised the death toll to 711 from Saturday's 8.8 magnitude quake as harrowing scenes of destruction emerged in isolated towns swamped by the giant waves that were triggered by one of the strongest earthquakes in a century.

With many people missing and some communities in the worst-hit central region of the South American country still largely cut off by mangled roads, President Michelle Bachelet said the death toll was certain to rise.

Surging waves ruined houses and smashed cars in fishing villages on the country's long Pacific coast. In the town of Constitucion alone, about 350 people died, state TV quoted emergency officials as saying.

A night-time curfew went into effect in the Maule region and the heavily damaged town of Concepcion, where hundreds of looters ransacked stores for food and other goods. Looting also broke out in parts of the capital, Santiago.

"We don't have water or anything. No one has appeared with help and we need more police to keep order. There are many people here who are robbing," said a 78-year-old woman who identified herself as Ana in the badly hit city of Talca, 250 km (155 miles) south of Santiago.

In Concepcion, angry survivors camping along roads took out their frustration on firefighters who were distributing drinking water in thermoses and tea kettles, damaging their vehicles.

MARKET IMPACT
Copper prices surged in early trading on Monday due to supply worries, jumping 5.6 percent to $7,600 per tonne on the London Metal Exchange <cmcu3> [ID:nSGE6200B]. The markets may help clarify the extend of the economic impact on Latin America's most developed country and the world's biggest copper exporter.

The damage from the quake could cost up to $30 billion, equivalent to about 15 percent of Chile's gross domestic product, said Eqecat, a firm that helps insurers model catastrophe risks.

Chile's biggest copper mines affected by the quake slowly resumed operations, but analysts said limited power supplies could curtail exports and push up copper prices further.

Chile's fourth-largest copper mine El Teniente, which accounts for more than 7 percent of national output, resumed operations on Sunday. The nearby Andina mine was also due to resume operations but analysts feared power outages could still affect output. [ID:nN28209603]

The Anglo-American <aal.l> Los Bronces mine also resumed production, a union leader told Reuters, but there was no word on when the company's El Soldado mine would restart.

Santiago's airport started to receive international flights, which had been suspended after the quake. Officials said the runways were unscathed but the terminal building was damaged.

Analysts said Chile's peso currency was likely to come under selling pressure as investors assess the impact on what is considered Latin America's best-run economy.[ID:nN28219241]

Some economists predicted a deep impact on Chile's economy after the quake damaged its industrial and agricultural sectors in the worst-hit regions. [ID:nN28209522]

(Additional reporting by Simon Gardner and Alonso Soto in Santiago and Concepcion; Writing by Stuart Grudgings; editing by Fiona Ortiz and Chris Wilson)
-
[NdM: The curfew may represent a remind of bad times for Chilean citizens, when the country was ruled by a dictatorship. Notwithstanding the importance of the copper industry sector, the main concern must be the safety of the populations involved.]
-
</aal.l></cmcu3>​

<cite cite="http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N28201379.htm">Reuters AlertNet - Chile troops impose curfew in quake-stricken towns</cite>

 

[Giuseppe]

Re: 8.8 EQ - Offshore MAULE, Chile - 2,391K exposed to severe shaking & mod-heavy damage - spreading tsunamis being recorded - "at least" 700 Deaths

Re: 8.8 EQ - Offshore MAULE, Chile - 2,391K exposed to severe shaking & mod-heavy damage - spreading tsunamis being recorded - "at least" 700 Deaths

Chile military takes control of cities

Soldiers impose curfews and guard shops in attempt to control looters as death toll from disaster increases to more than 700
The Chilean military has taken control of towns and cities affected by the earthquake, it was reported today, imposing curfews and guarding shops from looters as the death toll from the disaster rose to more than 700.
The Chilean president, Michelle Bachelet, signed a decree putting the military in charge of security in the province of Concepci?n, where looters have targeted markets and supermarkets, hitting food and water supplies.
"We are facing a catastrophe of such unthinkable magnitude that it will require a giant effort [for Chile to recover]," Bachelet said after meeting ministers and generals at the quake-damaged La Moneda Palace.
Concerns are growing over Britons missing in the aftermath of the catastrophe.
An estimated 65,000 British people visit Chile each year, and a number of UK holidaymakers remain unaccounted for. A Foreign Office spokesman said there had been "no reports of any casualties" so far.
The Surfer's Cottage, an eco-cottage for surfers in Pichilemu, central Chile, listed five Britons among its missing.
UK charity workers were due to arrive in Chile today to help with aid efforts.
The US secretary of state, Hillary Clinton, will visit the country tomorrow on a previously scheduled trip unrelated to the quake.
"Our hemisphere comes together in times of crisis, and we will stand side by side with the people of Chile in this emergency," she said.
As aftershocks measuring up to 7.5 continued to batter the country, rescuers arrived at coastal cities to find that entire fishing villages had been washed away.
There were reports that 350 people had died in the town of Constituci?n, which was hit first by the earthquake and then by a tsunami.
The death toll was expected to rise dramatically because of the number of missing people. Identification of the dead has been hampered because most were sleeping when the quake struck and were not carrying any personal documents.
More than 100 people remained trapped inside a wrecked 14-storey building in Concepci?n, Chile's second largest city, 40 miles north-west of the epicentre.
The new building was only half occupied, but an estimated 20 bodies were removed from the rubble, and teams of firefighters were continuing to search the wreckage for signs of life.
An estimated 500,000 residential buildings have been severely damaged by the quake, leaving nearly one in eight residents homeless.
As food, water and fuel ran out, looting erupted in Concepci?n and police initially attempted to stop the looters using teargas.
A pitched battle erupted inside one supermarket, ending when police and supermarket officials allowed residents to remove essential items free of charge.
Food warehouses were also looted, and Jacqueline van Rysselberghe, the mayor of Concepci?n, warned: "We are going to have social explosion if aid is not received today."
The Chilean air force sent a 747 filled with police to the region in an attempt to regain control, while military roadblocks were set up outside some cities in an effort to prevent outsiders from joining the looting.
The cost of the quake damage was estimated to be $25-$30bn (?16-?20bn) by Eqecat, a firm based in Oakland, California, that specialises in disaster management software.
Experts at the company said Chile's history of major earthquakes and solid construction had been instrumental in preventing far more deaths, with building codes including earthquake-resistant standards in all new construction.
The Chilean president-elect, Sebasti?n Pi?era, who takes office in less than two weeks, has worked closely with the outgoing Bachelet administration to organise long-term relief.
On Saturday, he asked key disaster relief and government officials to remain in office during the early part of his administration.
He also called for major sanctions against and investigations of construction companies involved in new housing projects that have collapsed.
Ricardo Ortega, the head of the Chilean air force, said yesterday a commercial airline service had been partially re-established and aircraft were now being allowed to land at Santiago's international airport.
With many major bridges destroyed and entire sections of Route 5, the main north-south highway, twisted and torn, delivery of relief aid to many areas has been made difficult and in some cases impossible.
Fears of a tsunami roaring across the Pacific Ocean were quelled yesterday when waves that hit Japan proved to be minimal.
Hundreds of thousands of people fled shorelines for higher ground after the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre, based in Hawaii, warned 53 countries and territories that a tsunami was imminent.
After the centre lifted its warning, some countries kept their own watches in place.

• Chile
• Natural disasters and extreme weather
• Hillary Clinton

Jonathan Franklin
Adam Gabbatt

guardian.co.uk ? Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds
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[Pathfinder]

Re: 8.8 EQ - Offshore MAULE, Chile - 2,391K exposed to severe shaking & mod-heavy damage - spreading tsunamis being recorded - "at least" 700 Deaths

Re: 8.8 EQ - Offshore MAULE, Chile - 2,391K exposed to severe shaking & mod-heavy damage - spreading tsunamis being recorded - "at least" 700 Deaths

Update time = Mon Mar 1 18:20:07 UTC 2010


<TABLE cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=1 border=0><TBODY><TR><TH></TH><TH align=middle>MAG </TH><TH align=middle>UTC DATE-TIME
y/m/d h:m:s
</TH><TH align=middle>LAT
deg
</TH><TH align=middle>LON
deg
</TH><TH align=middle>DEPTH
km
</TH><TH>Region</TH></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>MAP</TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>5.2 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>2010/03/01 16:56:50 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-36.305 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-72.479 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>35.0 </TD><TD vAlign=top>BIO-BIO, CHILE</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>MAP</TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>5.3 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>2010/03/01 14:36:30 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-34.359 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-73.432 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>30.1 </TD><TD vAlign=top>OFF COAST OF LIBERTADOR O'HIGGINS, CHILE</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>MAP</TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>5.3 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>2010/03/01 12:27:16 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-34.216 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-71.821 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>35.0 </TD><TD vAlign=top>LIBERTADOR O'HIGGINS, CHILE</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>MAP</TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>5.2 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>2010/03/01 12:20:19 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-34.513 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-73.636 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>35.0 </TD><TD vAlign=top>OFF COAST OF LIBERTADOR O'HIGGINS, CHILE</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>MAP</TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>5.3 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>2010/03/01 08:58:34 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-37.701 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-74.390 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>35.0 </TD><TD vAlign=top>OFFSHORE BIO-BIO, CHILE</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>MAP</TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>5.3 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>2010/03/01 07:49:08 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-34.997 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-72.861 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>35.0 </TD><TD vAlign=top>OFFSHORE MAULE, CHILE</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>MAP</TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>5.0 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>2010/03/01 06:24:59 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>32.347 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>105.178 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>36.2 </TD><TD vAlign=top>SICHUAN-GANSU BORDER REGION, CHINA</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>MAP</TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>5.1 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>2010/03/01 06:16:12 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-37.581 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-74.531 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>35.0 </TD><TD vAlign=top>OFFSHORE BIO-BIO, CHILE</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>MAP</TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>5.2 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>2010/03/01 05:30:36 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-34.451 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-73.481 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>35.0 </TD><TD vAlign=top>OFF COAST OF LIBERTADOR O'HIGGINS, CHILE</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>MAP</TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>5.0 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>2010/03/01 03:53:16 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-38.638 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-73.122 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>35.0 </TD><TD vAlign=top>ARAUCANIA, CHILE</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>MAP</TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>5.2 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>2010/03/01 03:15:58 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>25.995 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>128.363 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>19.9 </TD><TD vAlign=top>RYUKYU ISLANDS, JAPAN</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>MAP</TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>5.2 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>2010/03/01 03:15:51 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>7.144 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>126.423 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>7.2 </TD><TD vAlign=top>MINDANAO, PHILIPPINES</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>MAP</TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>5.1 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>2010/03/01 03:07:51 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-36.125 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-72.796 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>40.0 </TD><TD vAlign=top>BIO-BIO, CHILE</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>MAP</TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>5.8 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>2010/03/01 02:44:43 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-35.095 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-72.608 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>26.0 </TD><TD vAlign=top>OFFSHORE MAULE, CHILE</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>MAP</TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>5.4 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>2010/03/01 01:10:58 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-35.163 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-71.704 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>42.6 </TD><TD vAlign=top>MAULE, CHILE</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>MAP</TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>5.0 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>2010/03/01 00:01:27 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-38.306 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-73.746 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>35.0 </TD><TD vAlign=top>OFFSHORE BIO-BIO, CHILE</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><HR><TABLE cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=1 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>MAP</TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>5.1 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>2010/02/28 23:49:05 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-37.355 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-72.952 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>35.0 </TD><TD vAlign=top>BIO-BIO, CHILE</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>MAP</TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>5.0 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>2010/02/28 23:45:06 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-35.275 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-72.257 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>34.9 </TD><TD vAlign=top>MAULE, CHILE</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>MAP</TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>5.0 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>2010/02/28 22:41:29 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-36.840 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-73.528 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>26.5 </TD><TD vAlign=top>OFFSHORE BIO-BIO, CHILE</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>MAP</TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>5.1 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>2010/02/28 22:07:48 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>39.508 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>140.426 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>124.4 </TD><TD vAlign=top>EASTERN HONSHU, JAPAN</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>MAP</TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>5.9 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>2010/02/28 19:48:39 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-38.054 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-73.525 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>35.0 </TD><TD vAlign=top>OFFSHORE BIO-BIO, CHILE</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>MAP</TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>5.1 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>2010/02/28 18:44:31 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-36.630 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-72.506 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>35.0 </TD><TD vAlign=top>BIO-BIO, CHILE</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>MAP</TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>5.0 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>2010/02/28 18:19:53 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-34.845 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>-71.605 </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>35.0 </TD><TD vAlign=top>LIBERTADOR O'HIGGINS, CHILE</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/recenteqsww/Quakes/quakes_big.php

 

[Giuseppe]

Re: 8.8 EQ - Offshore MAULE, Chile - 2,391K exposed to severe shaking & mod-heavy damage - spreading tsunamis being recorded - "at least" 700 Deaths

Re: 8.8 EQ - Offshore MAULE, Chile - 2,391K exposed to severe shaking & mod-heavy damage - spreading tsunamis being recorded - "at least" 700 Deaths

Chile's LAN says flights to start leaving Santiago (AlertNet, edited)

Chile's LAN says flights to start leaving Santiago

01 Mar 2010 20:20:35 GMT
Source: Reuters

SANTIAGO, March 1 (Reuters)


Chile's biggest airline, LAN <lan.sn>, expects a limited number of domestic and international flights to start flying out of the country's main airport on Tuesday, the company said on Monday.

Some of the airline's flights have landed in Santiago but there have been no outgoing flights after a massive earthquake on Saturday killed more than 700 people and damaged airport facilities.

(Reporting by Cesar Illiano, Writing by Kevin Gray; Editing by Tim Dobbyn)
-
</lan.sn>​

<cite cite="http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N0195954.htm">Reuters AlertNet - Chile's LAN says flights to start leaving Santiago</cite>

 

[Giuseppe]

Re: 8.8 EQ - Offshore MAULE, Chile - 2,391K exposed to severe shaking & mod-heavy damage - spreading tsunamis being recorded - "at least" 700 Deaths

Re: 8.8 EQ - Offshore MAULE, Chile - 2,391K exposed to severe shaking & mod-heavy damage - spreading tsunamis being recorded - "at least" 700 Deaths

Chile rushes troops, aid to quake-stricken towns (AlertNet, edited)

Chile rushes troops, aid to quake-stricken towns

01 Mar 2010 20:19:17 GMT
Source: Reuters

(For full coverage, click on [ID:nCHILE])

* Looting spreads in Concepcion, despite troops
* Death toll over 700, likely to rise
* Tsunamis devastate coastal communities
* Copper prices surge; Chile stocks fall, peso rebounds

(Repeats to add links to other stories)

By Mario Naranjo
CONCEPCION, Chile, March 1 (Reuters)


Looters raided more stores in this ravaged city on Monday as thousands of Chilean troops struggled to restore order after a huge earthquake and tsunamis killed more than 700 people.

Police fired tear gas at looters at one supermarket that later caught fire in Concepcion, more than two days after the 8.8-magnitude quake devastated towns across central Chile and sent tsunamis barreling into coastal communities.

President Michelle Bachelet, calling the earthquake an "enormous catastrophe," has dispatched 10,000 soldiers and imposed curfews to restore order and said her government was sending emergency food and medicine supplies.

A curfew went into effect overnight in the Maule region and in Concepcion, where hundreds of looters complaining of a lack of food and water have ransacked stores. Looting also broke out over the weekend in parts of the capital, Santiago.

Power cuts and mangled roads have slowed relief efforts and threatened to set back a recovery in one of Latin America's most stable economies and the world's biggest copper producer.

The death toll stands at 711 and is expected to rise, but both the human and economic cost could have been a lot worse given the size of the quake, one of the world's biggest in the last century.

SIGNS OF LIFE
Chilean rescuers found signs of life on Monday in a collapsed apartment block in Concepcion, the nearest major city to the epicenter of the quake.

Workers heard knocking and other sounds beneath the ruins of the 14-storey building and were drilling into the rubble to try to reach the possible survivors. About 60 people were thought to have been killed when the block crumbled.

"We have good news, there are signs of people still alive inside," said firefighter commander Juan Carlos Subercaseaux.

Many people were still missing in some communities in the worst-hit central region of Chile.

Surging waves ruined houses and smashed cars in fishing villages on the country's long Pacific coast. In the town of Constitucion alone, 350 people were reported to have died and a public gym was turned into a makeshift morgue.

Television images showed houses torn from their foundations, cars tossed around and the ground covered in shattered wood and wet mud.

"More than 75 percent of the village is destroyed," David Merino, a community leader in the coastal town of Dichato, told Reuters. "After the earthquake there were three waves. The first two were big and didn't do much damage, but the last one almost wiped the village off the map."

Dazed residents wandered the picturesque tourist town on Sunday, trying to salvage possessions from ruined homes.

"We don't have anything. We lived by fishing and lost everything. How are we going to live?" said 50-year-old fisherman Jose Castillo, holding his fishing knife and a bag as he scouring the ruins of the town for food and water.

Throughout the region, families struggled to get basic supplies and protect themselves.

"There are mothers without diapers or milk for their infants, and we don't have any water or electricity," said Paz Sanchez, 18, as she filled buckets with water from a tanker truck in the town of Talca. "We organized a group in our neighborhood to ward off looters"

ECONOMIC TREMORS
Chile's bluechip stock index was down 1.54 percent <.IPSA>, but the peso currency <clp=> recovered from an early 1.5 percent decline and was trading slightly higher.

Copper prices jumped more than 5 percent to their highest in five weeks on concerns about possible supply disruptions from the world's biggest exporter of the metal, although they later trimmed gains. [ID:nSGE620000].

Most of Chile's biggest copper mines affected by the quake slowly resumed operations, and the country's ports were also running, but analysts said limited power supplies could curtail exports and further lift copper prices. [nN28135112]

Two oil refineries remained closed, buoying the gas oil market. [ID:nSGE62006Z]

Damage from the quake could cost up to $30 billion, equivalent to about 15 percent of Chile's gross domestic product, said Eqecat, a firm that helps insurers model catastrophe risks.

Some economists predicted a deep impact on Chile's economy after the quake damaged industrial and agricultural sectors in the worst-hit regions, but said the country's solid fiscal position would help reconstruction efforts. [ID:nN28209522]

"Chile has ample resources abroad to help finance the cost of its rebuilding efforts," Credit Suisse said. "Alternatively, it should be in a comfortable position to tap external and/or local debt markets."

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Chile Economy Seen Withstanding Quake (LINK)
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

(Additional reporting by Simon Gardner and Alonso Soto in Santiago; Writing by Stuart Grudgings and Helen Popper; Editing by Kieran Murray)
-
</clp=>​

<cite cite="http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N01230235.htm">Reuters AlertNet - Chile rushes troops, aid to quake-stricken towns</cite>