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2010 Chile earthquake

Coordinates: 35°50′46″S 72°43′08″W / 35.846°S 72.719°W / -35.846; -72.719
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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]
TsunamiWidespread warnings for most of the Pacific coasts.[2]
Casualties147 confirmed deaths[3][4][5]

The 2010 Chile earthquake occurred off the coast of the Maule Region of Chile,[6][7] on February 27, 2010 at 03:34 local time (06:34 UTC) and lasted for about three minutes.[8] Its magnitude was initially reported to be between 8.3 and 8.5 Mw, later revised to 8.8 Mw.[9] 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.[10] It was about 500 times stronger than the recent devastating magnitude 7.0 Haitian earthquake[11] and is tied with a 1906 Ecuadorian earthquake as the seventh strongest earthquake ever recorded.[12]

The earthquake was felt in the capital Santiago at Mercalli intensity scale VII (Very Strong),[3] as well as in many Argentine cities, including Buenos Aires, Córdoba, Mendoza and La Rioja.[13][14] Tremors were felt as far north as the city of Ica in southern Peru.[15] Tsunami warnings were issued in 53 countries.[3] President Michelle Bachelet declared a "state of catastrophe". She also confirmed the deaths of at least 140 people.[3] Many more have been reported missing.[4][16][17]

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.[18] Other cities exposed to Mercalli intensity scale VIII (Destructive) shaking were Arauco, Lota, Cañete and Constitución.[1]

Geology

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The Nazca Plate is subducting under the South American plate. This movement causes seismicity and volcanism throughout Chile.

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.[18] 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.[18]

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.[19] 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.[6]

Damaged buildings and fires were reported in Concepción.[20]

147 deaths had been reported about 12 hours after the quake, and the toll is rising, but not expected to double.[5][21][22]

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.[5][23] 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,[24] and a tsunami watch for Ecuador, Colombia, Antarctica, Panama and Costa Rica.[25][26]

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.[27] Hawaii media reported that tsunami warning sirens sounded at 6am local time.[28]

A tsunami amplitude of up to 2.6 m (8.5 ft) high was recorded in the sea at Valparaiso, Chile.[5][29][30] An amplitude of 2.34 m (7.68 ft) was recorded at Talcahuano in the Biobío Region.[30] A massive 40 m (130 ft) tsunami reportedly struck the Juan Fernández Islands, located 667 km (414 mi) of the coast of Chile, resulting in catastrophic damage.[31]

An aftershock of 6.2 was recorded 20 minutes after the initial quake.[5][32] Two more aftershocks of magnitudes 5.4 and 5.6 followed.[32] The USGS said that "a large vigorous aftershock sequence can be expected from this earthquake".[18] By 18:00 UTC on February 27, thirty-eight aftershocks stronger than magnitude 5.0, including five above mag. 6.0, had occurred in the region.[33]

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).[34]

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.[35]

In fear of the coming tsunami, partial evacuation was ordered in Easter Island, about 3,510 km away from the coast of Chile. The tsunami wave arrived in Easter Island at 12:05 UTC, measuring 0.35 m.[36][37]

Minor quakes generated by the main one could be felt as far away as São Paulo, Brazil,[38] located about 3,000 km (1,900 mi) away from Concepción.

The U.S. National Weather Service's Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued a tsunami warning in a huge swathe of the Pacific region, including Antarctica.[39] In the Americas, the warning extends to Chile (including Easter Island), Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, and Panama.[39] 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, the Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, Wallis and Futuna and Wake Island.[39] Tsunami warnings are also in effect as far away as East and Southeast Asia including Japan, Indonesia, the Philippines, Russia and Taiwan.[39]

Coastal areas of Canada's British Columbia are under a tsunami advisory.[40] 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.[40] The first wave is expected to reach southern British Columbia at 3:11 p.m. local time.[40] Residents were advised to avoid beaches, harbours and marinas.[41]

A tsunami advisory is also in effect for coastal areas of California, Oregon, Washington and southern Alaska in the United States.[42]

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.[43] 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.[43] Many coastal towns, including the main city of Pago Pago, had already been heavily damaged in the 2009 tsunami.

Australia

The Joint Australian Tsunami Warning Center (JATWC) sent out tsunami warnings for New South Wales, Queensland, Lord Howe Island, and Norfolk Island. The organization is expecting strong ocean currents and flooding to occur on the east coast of Australia for several hours Sunday.[44]

French Polynesia

A wave measuring up to six feet (1.80 metres) high has struck portions of French Polynesia, with no reports of injuries so far.[45]

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, according to Monique Richeton, the mayor of Rikitea, the largest town in the Gambiers.[43][45] 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.[43] Residents of the Tuamotus, which are low-lying, have been told to move to the highest points on the island.[43]

The first waves are expected to hit the main island of Tahiti at approximately 7:50 local time.[43] Cars and other automobiles have been banned from roads that are closer than 500 meters to the Pacific Ocean.[43]

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.[46] 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.[47]

Warning sirens were sounded throughout the state, as hotels in Waikiki began evacuating tourists from hotels at 6 a.m. People in tall buildings are being encouraged to evacuate vertically, that is, move to a higher floor (above the third floor).

Waves measuring nine feet high have been forecast to strike Hilo Bay on the Big Island of Hawai'i at 11:05 a.m. local time (2105 GMT).[48] Eight foot tall waves are expected to hit the city of Kahului, Maui, by 11:26 a.m.[48]

New Zealand

The New Zealand Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management (CDEM) stated that waves of up to one metre high are likely for the entire New Zealand coast.[49]

Tsunami Arrival

The following data, published by the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, lists measured and reported values of the tsunami when it arrived at specific locales.

Tsunami arrival data[2]
Station Country or territory Latitude Longitude Time (UTC) Height (m) Height (ft)
DART Tonga 23 S 168.1 W 18:44 0.04 0.1
Hiva Oa French Polynesia French Polynesia 9.8 N 139.0 W 17:41 1.79 5.9
Papeete French Polynesia French Polynesia 17.5 N 149.6 W 18:10 0.16 0.5
Cabo San Lucas Mexico Mexico 22.9 N 109.9 W 17:43 0.28 0.9
Nuku Hiva French Polynesia French Polynesia 8.9 S 140.1 W 17:45 0.95 3.1
Manzanillo Mexico Mexico 19.1 N 104.3 W 17:05 0.32 1
DART Manzanillo 16.0 N 107 W 16:11 0.07 0.2
Acapulco Mexico Mexico 16.8 N 99.9 W 15:49 0.16 0.5
Rikitea French Polynesia French Polynesia 23.1 S 134.9 W 15:59 0.15 0.5
DART Marquesas Islands 8.5 S 125 W 15:31 0.18 0.6
Galapagos Islands Ecuador Ecuador 0.4 S 90.3 W 14:52 0.35 1.2
Easter Island Chile Chile 27.2 S 109.5 W 12:05 0.35 1.1
Ancud Chile Chile 41.9 S 73.8 W 08:38 0.62 2
Callao Peru Peru 12.1 S 77.2 W 10:29 0.36 1.2
Arica Chile Chile 18.5 S 70.3 W 10:08 0.94 3.1
Iquique Chile Chile 20.2 S 70.1 W 09:07 0.28 0.9
Antofagasta Chile Chile 23.2 S 70.4 W 09:41 0.49 1.6
DART Lima 18 S 86.4 W 09:41 0.24 0.8
Caldera Chile Chile 27.1 S 70.8 W 08:34 0.45 1.5
Talcahuano Chile Chile 36.7 S 73.4 W 06:53 2.34 7.7
Coquimbo Chile Chile 30 S 71.3 W 08:52 1.32 4.3
Corral Chile Chile 39.9 S 73.4 W 07:39 0.90 2.9
San Felix Chile Chile 26.3 S 80.1 W 08:15 0.53 1.7
Valparaiso Chile Chile 33 S 71.6 W 07:08 1.29 4.2

Response

Further information: Response to the 2010 Chile earthquake

Leaders of many countries and intergovernmental organizations, including the United Nations and European Union, responded to the earthquake and sent messages of condolence to the government and people of Chile over the loss of lives and property. Argentina, the United States, United Kingdom, People's Republic of China, Singapore, and Pakistan[citation needed] were among the countries that responded earliest following the quake.[50] Appeals for humanitarian aid were issued by the United Kingdom based Oxfam, Save the Children and others.

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c "PAGER – M 8.8 – OFFSHORE MAULE, CHILE". Earthquake.usgs.gov. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
  2. ^ a b TSUNAMI BULLETIN NUMBER 013 issued by the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center.
  3. ^ a b c d "Tsunami After Major Earthquake Hits Chile". Sky News. February 27, 2010. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
  4. ^ a b David Batty (27 February 2010). "Deadly earthquake hits central Chile". The Guardian. Retrieved 27 February 2010.
  5. ^ a b c d e "Massive earthquake strikes Chile". BBC News. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
  6. ^ a b "Reuters earthquake report". Reuters. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
  7. ^ "Japan Meteorological Agency report". Japan Meteorological Agency. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
  8. ^ Patrick Sawer (February 27, 2010). "Huge earthquake hits Chile". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
  9. ^ "USGS Earthquake Details". United States Geological Survey. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
  10. ^ "Historic World Earthquakes". Earthquake.usgs.gov. United States Geological Survey. November 23, 2009. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
  11. ^ "How much bigger is a magnitude 8.7 earthquake than a magnitude 5.8 earthquake?". Earthquake.usgs.gov. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
  12. ^ "Huge quake hits Chile; tsunami threatens Pacific". February 26, 2010. Retrieved February 26, 2010.
  13. ^ Infobae.com. February 27. 2010 http://www.infobae.com/general/502937-101275-0-Confirman-que-el-sismo-Chile-se-sinti%C3%B3-Buenos-Aires. Retrieved February 27, 2010. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Missing or empty |title= (help); Text "Confirman que el sismo de Chile se sintió en Buenos Aires" ignored (help)
  14. ^ Infobae.com. February 27, 2010 http://www.infobae.com/general/502942-101275-0-En-la-regi%C3%B3n-Cuyo-se-sinti%C3%B3-muy-fuerte-el-temblor-Chile. Retrieved February 27, 2010. {{cite news}}: Missing or empty |title= (help); Text "En la región de Cuyo "se sintió muy fuerte" el temblor de Chile" ignored (help)
  15. ^ 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)
  16. ^ "Death toll in Chile earthquake rises to 78". RTÉ News. 27 February 2010. Retrieved 27 February 2010.
  17. ^ "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)
  18. ^ a b c d "Magnitude 8.8 – Offshore Maule, Chile". United States Geological Survey. February 27, 2010. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
  19. ^ Eva Vergara, Associated Press, "8.8-magnitude earthquake hits central Chile".. Retrieved 27 February 2010.
  20. ^ http://www.eluniverso.com/2010/02/27/1/1361/terremoto-85-grados-deja-muertos-chile.html?p=1354&m=1835
  21. ^ Guardian newspaper: Chile earthquake: Pacific nations brace for tsunami
  22. ^ ABC News: Chile Earthquake: Tsunami Watch Heightened After 8.8-Magnitude Quake
  23. ^ "Bachellet confirmó que hay cinco muertos por el sismo en Chile", mdz online. Retrieved 27 February 2010. Template:Es icon
  24. ^ "Australia on tsunami watch after quake". News.ninemsn.com.au. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
  25. ^ "Massive earthquake, aftershocks rattle Chile tsunami warning issued". Edition.cnn.com. CNN. February 27, 2010. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
  26. ^ « Strong earthquake hits Chile, Tsunami warning issued in region », peoplestar.co.uk, Retrieved on 2010-02-27.
  27. ^ "Pacific Tsunami Warning Center". Pacific Tsunami Warning Center. 27 February 2010. Retrieved 27 February 2010.
  28. ^ "Tsunami warning in effect for Hawaii". Hawaii News Now. 27 February 2010. Retrieved 27 February 2010.
  29. ^ "Tsunami message from WCATWC". Wcatwc.arh.noaa.gov. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
  30. ^ a b TSUNAMI BULLETIN NUMBER 004 by the NOAA Pacific Tsunami Warning Center
  31. ^ Staff Writer (February 27, 2010). "40 Meter Tsunami Wave Hits Juan Fernández Island". Newsolio. Retrieved February 26, 2010.
  32. ^ a b Latest Earthquakes M5.0+ in the World, by USGS.
  33. ^ USGS, Earthquake Hazards Program (February 27, 2010). "10-degree Map Centered at 35°S,75°W". United States Geological Survey. Retrieved 27 February 2010.
  34. ^ 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)
  35. ^ "Un fuerte terremoto de 8.8 de magnitud causa al menos 52 muertos en Chile · ELPAÍS.com". Elpais.com. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
  36. ^ http://www.prh.noaa.gov/ptwc/messages/pacific/2010/pacific.2010.02.27.164746.txt
  37. ^ http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/world/02/27/10/partial-evacuation-chiles-easter-island-ordered
  38. ^ "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.
  39. ^ 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.
  40. ^ a b c "Coastal B.C. under tsunami advisory". Vancouver Sun. 2010-02-27. Retrieved 2010-02-27.
  41. ^ "Coastal B.C. under tsunami advisory after massive Chilean earthquake". Canwest News Service. Montreal Gazette. 2010-02-27. Retrieved 2010-02-27.
  42. ^ "Tsunami advisory for Washington Coast". MyNorthwest.com. 2010-02-27. Retrieved 2010-02-27.
  43. ^ 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.
  44. ^ http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2010-02/27/c_13190862.htm
  45. ^ a b "Tsunami waves up to 6 feet hit French Polynesia". Honolulu Star-Bulletin. 2010-02-27. Retrieved 2010-02-27.
  46. ^ "Inouye, Akaka urge calm". Honolulu Advertiser. 2010-02-27. Retrieved 2010-02-27.
  47. ^ "Caldwell serving as acting mayor". Honolulu Advertiser. 2010-02-27. Retrieved 2010-02-27.
  48. ^ a b Schaefers, Allison (2010-02-27). "9-foot waves forecast for Hilo Bay at 11:05 a.m." Honolulu Sat-Bulletin. Retrieved 2010-02-27.
  49. ^ http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/3384741/NZ-on-tsunami-alert
  50. ^ "Int'l community offers sympathy, aid to quake-stricken Chile". Xinhua News Agency. February 28, 2010. Retrieved 27 February 2010.
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