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2010 Chile earthquake: Difference between revisions

Coordinates: 35°50′46″S 72°43′08″W / 35.846°S 72.719°W / -35.846; -72.719
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===Hawaii===
===Hawaii===
[[United States Senators]] [[Daniel Inouye]] and [[Daniel Akaka]] issued a joint [[press release]] urging calm, noting that this is the first tsunami evacuation in Hawaii since 1994.<ref name=ha> {{cite news |first=|last=|title=Inouye, Akaka urge calm |url=http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/20100227/BREAKING01/100227027/1352 |work=[[Honolulu Advertiser]]|publisher=|date=2010-02-27 |accessdate=2010-02-27}}</ref> City Managing Director [[Kirk Caldwell]] is serving as the acting mayor of [[Honolulu]], Hawaii's largest city, during the tsunami evacuation in the absence of [[Mayor of Honolulu|Mayor]] [[Mufi Hannemann]].<ref name=ha2> {{cite news |first=|last=|title=Caldwell serving as acting mayor |url=http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/artikkel?Dato=20100227&Kategori=BREAKING01&Lopenr=100227022&Ref=AR&Show=0 |work=[[Honolulu Advertiser]]|publisher=|date=2010-02-27 |accessdate=2010-02-27}}</ref>
[[United States Senators]] [[Daniel Inouye]] and [[Daniel Akaka]] issued a joint [[press release]] urging calm, noting that this is the first tsunami evacuation in Hawaii since 1994.<ref name=ha> {{cite news |first=|last=|title=Inouye, Akaka urge calm |url=http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/20100227/BREAKING01/100227027/1352 |work=[[Honolulu Advertiser]]|publisher=|date=2010-02-27 |accessdate=2010-02-27}}</ref> City Managing Director [[Kirk Caldwell]] is serving as the acting mayor of [[Honolulu]], Hawaii's capital, during the tsunami evacuation in the absence of [[Mayor of Honolulu|Mayor]] [[Mufi Hannemann]].<ref name=ha2> {{cite news |first=|last=|title=Caldwell serving as acting mayor |url=http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/artikkel?Dato=20100227&Kategori=BREAKING01&Lopenr=100227022&Ref=AR&Show=0 |work=[[Honolulu Advertiser]]|publisher=|date=2010-02-27 |accessdate=2010-02-27}}</ref>


==See also==
==See also==

Revision as of 17:42, 27 February 2010

2010 Chile Earthquake
UTC time??
Magnitude8.8 Mw
Depth35 kilometres (22 mi)
Epicenter35°50′46″S 72°43′08″W / 35.846°S 72.719°W / -35.846; -72.719
Areas affectedChile, Maule Region, Biobío Region
Max. intensityMM VIII[1]
Tsunamiwarning for Chile and Peru; according CNN also Panama, Hawaii and Costa Rica
Casualties122 confirmed deaths[2][3]

The 2010 Chile earthquake occurred off the coast of the Maule Region of Chile,[4][5] on February 27, 2010 at 03:34 local time (06:34 UTC) and lasted for about three minutes.[6] Its magnitude was reported to be between 8.3 and 8.5 Mw, later revised to 8.8 Mw.[7] It was the strongest earthquake affecting Chile since the magnitude 9.5 1960 Valdivia earthquake (the most energetic earthquake ever recorded worldwide), and is the strongest earthquake worldwide since the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake.[8] It was about five hundred times stronger than the recent devastating magnitude 7.0 Haitian earthquake.

The earthquake was felt in the capital Santiago,[9] as well as in many western Argentine cities. Tremors were felt as far north as the city of Ica in southern Peru.[10] Tsunami warnings were issued in 53 countries.[9] President Michelle Bachelet declared a "state of catastrophe". She also confirmed the deaths of at least 122 people. Many more have been reported missing.[2][11][12]

The epicenter of the earthquake was offshore from the Maule Region, approximately 8 km (5.0 miles) west of Curanipe and 115 km north-northeast of Chile's second largest city, Concepción.[13] Other cities exposed to Mercalli intensity scale intensity VIII (Destructive) shaking were Arauco, Lota and Constitución.[1]

Geology

The earthquake took place where the Nazca Plate is subducting under the South American plate

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

The earthquake is characterized by a thrust-faulting focal mechanism, caused by the subduction of the Nazca plate under the South American plate.[13]

Damage and casualties

The death toll by 14.35 on February 27.(update as needed)
USGS shake map of the earthquake

According to an Associated Press Television News cameraman, some buildings have collapsed in Santiago and there are power outages in parts of the city.[14] Santiago's International Airport seems to have been damaged and the airport authority has closed off all flight operations for the next 24 hours from around 1200 UTC.[4]

More than 120 deaths had been reported about 12 hours after the quake, and the toll was rising.[3][15] Damaged buildings and fires were reported in Concepción.[16]

The Chilean National Emergency Office Oficina Nacional de Emergencia estimated that the intensity of the earthquake was 9 on the Mercalli scale in the Biobío Region and 8 in Santiago.[3][17] USGS put the intensity in Santiago and Valparaiso at MM VI.[1]

Tsunami and aftershocks

The propagation of the tsunami as projected by NOAA (hour 0=06:34 UTC Feb 27)
The energy model map of the tsunami.
Countries with coastal areas at risk (in pink).

A tsunami warning was first declared for Chile and Peru,[18] while a tsunami watch issued for Ecuador, Colombia, Antarctica, Panama and Costa Rica.[19] [20]

The warning was later extended to a Pacific Ocean-wide warning, covering all coastal areas on the Pacific Ocean except the west coast of the United States, British Columbia, and Alaska.[21] Hawaii media reported that tsunami warning sirens sounded at 6am local time.[22]

A tsunami amplitude of up to 2.6 m (8.5 ft) high was recorded in the sea at Valparaiso, Chile.[3][23][24] An amplitude of 2.34 m (7.68 ft) was recorded at Talcahuano in the Biobío Region.[24]

An aftershock of 6.2 was recorded 20 minutes after the initial quake.[3][25] Two more aftershocks of magnitudes 5.4 and 5.6 followed.[25] The USGS said that "a large vigorous aftershock sequence can be expected from this earthquake".[13] By 16:00 UTC thirty aftershocks stronger than magnitude 5.0, including five above mag. 6.0, had occurred in the region.[26]

A separate earthquake of magnitude 6.3 occurred in Salta, Argentina at 15:45 UTC on February 27, at a depth of 38.2 km (23.7 mi).[27]

In Juan Fernández Islands, situated in the Pacific Ocean about 667 km (414 mi) away from the coast of Chile, local residents reported "a wave of great size" in the main town, but it still remains unknown whether there is any damage.[28]

Minor quakes generated by the main one could be felt as far away as São Paulo, Brazil,[29] located about 3,000 km (1,900 mi) away from Concepción.

The National Weather Service's Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued a tsunami warning in a huge swathe of the Pacific region, including Antarctica.[30] In the Americas, the warning extends to Chile (including Easter Island), Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, and Panama.[30] A warning was also issued for the Oceania and Pacific Islands nations and territories of American Samoa, Australia, the Cook Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia (including the FSM states of Chuuk, Kosrae, Pohnpei and Yap), Fiji, French Polynesia, Guam, Hawaii, Jarvis Island, Johnston Island, the Kermadec Islands, Kiribati, Marcus Island, the Marshall Islands, Midway Island, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Niue, the Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Pitcairn Islands, Samoa, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, Wallis and Futuna and Wake Island.[30] Tsunami warnings are also in effect as far away as East and Southeast Asia including China, Japan, Indonesia, the Philippines, Russia and Taiwan.[30]

Coastal areas of Canada's British Columbia are under a tsunami advisory.[31] No large wave is expected to strike British Columbia, but strong local ocean currents combined with a wave put low-lying coastal regions at risk of flooding.[31] The first wave is expected to reach southern British Columbia at 3:11 p.m. local time.[31] Residents were advised to avoid beaches, harbours and marinas.[32]

A tsunami advisory is also in effect for coastal areas of California, Oregon, Washington and southern Alaska in the United States.[33]

American Samoa

The first wave was expected to reach American Samoa, which is still recovering from the 2009 Samoa earthquake and tsunami, at 8:51 local time.[34] Lieutenant Governor Ipulasi Aitofele Sunia urged residents not to rush to A'oloau, a high elevation area on Tutuila, as it could cause traffic jams, putting safety at risk. [34] Many coastal towns, including the main city of Pago Pago, had already been heavily damaged in the 2009 tsunami.

French Polynesia

Réseau France Outre-mer in Papeete has reported that a wave measuring less than one meter high has passed east of the Gambier Islands, with no damage reported so far.[34] French Polynesian authorities have warned that a wave of more than two meters high could strike the northern Marquesas Islands and the island of Rurutu in the Austral archipelago.[34] Residents of the Tuamotus, which are low-lying, have been told to move to the highest points on the island.[34]

The first waves are expected to hit the main island of Tahiti at approximately 7:50 local time.[34] Cars and other automobiles have been banned from roads that are closer than 500 meters to the Pacific Ocean.[34]

Hawaii

United States Senators Daniel Inouye and Daniel Akaka issued a joint press release urging calm, noting that this is the first tsunami evacuation in Hawaii since 1994.[35] City Managing Director Kirk Caldwell is serving as the acting mayor of Honolulu, Hawaii's capital, during the tsunami evacuation in the absence of Mayor Mufi Hannemann.[36]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c "PAGER – M 8.8 – OFFSHORE MAULE, CHILE". Earthquake.usgs.gov. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
  2. ^ a b David Batty (27 February 2010). "Deadly earthquake hits central Chile". The Guardian. Retrieved 27 February 2010.
  3. ^ a b c d e "Massive earthquake strikes Chile". BBC News. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
  4. ^ a b "Reuters earthquake report". Reuters. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
  5. ^ "Japan Meteorological Agency report". Japan Meteorological Agency. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
  6. ^ Patrick Sawer (February 27, 2010). "Huge earthquake hits Chile". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
  7. ^ "USGS Earthquake Details". United States Geological Survey. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
  8. ^ "Historic World Earthquakes". Earthquake.usgs.gov. United States Geological Survey. November 23, 2009. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
  9. ^ a b "Tsunami After Major Earthquake Hits Chile". Sky News. February 27, 2010. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
  10. ^ Peru.com. February 27, 2010 http://www.peru.com/noticias/portada20100227/83441/Temblor-sacude-Ica-y-causa-temor-en-pobladores-tras-terremoto-en-Chile-. Retrieved February 27, 2010. {{cite news}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  11. ^ "Death toll in Chile earthquake rises to 78". RTÉ News. 27 February 2010. Retrieved 27 February 2010.
  12. ^ "8.8-magnitude quake rocks Chile, sets off tsunami". Los Angeles Times. February 27 2010. Retrieved February 27 2010. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help)
  13. ^ a b c "Magnitude 8.8 – Offshore Maule, Chile". United States Geological Survey. February 27, 2010. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
  14. ^ Eva Vergara, Associated Press, "8.8-magnitude earthquake hits central Chile".. Retrieved 27 February 2010.
  15. ^ Guardian newspaper: Chile earthquake: Pacific nations brace for tsunami
  16. ^ http://www.eluniverso.com/2010/02/27/1/1361/terremoto-85-grados-deja-muertos-chile.html?p=1354&m=1835
  17. ^ "Bachellet confirmó que hay cinco muertos por el sismo en Chile", mdz online. Retrieved 27 February 2010. Template:Es icon
  18. ^ "Australia on tsunami watch after quake". News.ninemsn.com.au. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
  19. ^ "Massive earthquake, aftershocks rattle Chile tsunami warning issued". Edition.cnn.com. CNN. February 27, 2010. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
  20. ^ « Strong earthquake hits Chile, Tsunami warning issued in region », peoplestar.co.uk, Retrieved on 2010-02-27.
  21. ^ "Pacific Tsunami Warning Center". Pacific Tsunami Warning Center. 27 February 2010. Retrieved 27 February 2010.
  22. ^ "Tsunami warning in effect for Hawaii". Hawaii News Now. 27 February 2010. Retrieved 27 February 2010.
  23. ^ "Tsunami message from WCATWC". Wcatwc.arh.noaa.gov. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
  24. ^ a b TSUNAMI BULLETIN NUMBER 004 by the NOAA Pacific Tsunami Warning Center
  25. ^ a b Latest Earthquakes M5.0+ in the World, by USGS.
  26. ^ USGS, Earthquake Hazards Program (February 27, 2010). "10-degree Map Centered at 35°S,75°W". United States Geological Survey. Retrieved 27 February 2010.
  27. ^ USGS, Earthquake Hazards Program (February 27). "Magnitude 6.3 - SALTA, Argentina". United States Geological Survey. Retrieved 27 February 2010. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  28. ^ "Un fuerte terremoto de 8.8 de magnitud causa al menos 52 muertos en Chile · ELPAÍS.com". Elpais.com. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
  29. ^ "Estado de SP sente reflexo do terremoto de 8,8 graus registrado no Chile" (in Portuguese). Folha Online. 27 February 2010. Retrieved 27 February 2010.
  30. ^ a b c d Memmott, Mark (2010-02-27). "'Massive' Earthquake Hits Chile; Tsunami Warnings Up Across Pacific". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2010-02-27.
  31. ^ a b c "Coastal B.C. under tsunami advisory". Vancouver Sun. 2010-02-27. Retrieved 2010-02-27.
  32. ^ "Coastal B.C. under tsunami advisory after massive Chilean earthquake". Canwest News Service. Montreal Gazette. 2010-02-27. Retrieved 2010-02-27.
  33. ^ "Tsunami advisory for Washington Coast". MyNorthwest.com. 2010-02-27. Retrieved 2010-02-27.
  34. ^ a b c d e f g "Tsunami alert in Pacific after 8.8 quake in Chile". Radio New Zealand International. 2010-02-27. Retrieved 2010-02-27.
  35. ^ "Inouye, Akaka urge calm". Honolulu Advertiser. 2010-02-27. Retrieved 2010-02-27.
  36. ^ "Caldwell serving as acting mayor". Honolulu Advertiser. 2010-02-27. Retrieved 2010-02-27.
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