Saturday, February 27th 2010 - 08:42 UTC

Chile: Tsunami wave as high as 9 feet has been recorded.

A POWERFUL 8.3 magnitude earthquake has struck the Pacific Ocean near the coast of central Chile, with US authorities warning it could generate a tsunami

The epicentre of the tremor, which occurred at 5.34pm (AEDT), was 99 kilometres southwest of the Chilean town of Talca and 117 kilometres northeast from Concepcion, also in Chile, the US Geological Survey said.

There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage. CNN reported power outages in the capital city of Santiago, more than 300km away.

The survey had initially put the magnitude of the tremor at 8.5 but later adjusted it to 8.3. The location of the epicentre was also slightly corrected.

The US Pacific Tsunami warning centre issued a tsunami warning for Chile and Peru, and a tsunami watch for Ecuador.

It said it was not yet known if a tsunami had been caused but “an earthquake of this size has the potential to generate a destructive tsunami that can strike coastlines within hours.”

The quake magnitude reading is based on the open-ended Moment Magnitude scale which is used by US seismologists and measures the area of the fault that ruptured and the total energy released.
 

Published in: Environment, Latin America.

10 comments Feed

Note: Comments do not reflect MercoPress’ opinions. They are the personal view of our users. We wish to keep this as open and unregulated as possible. However, rude or foul language, discriminative comments (based on ethnicity, religion, gender, nationality, sexual orientation or the sort), spamming or any other offensive or inappropriate behaviour will not be tolerated. Please report any inadequate posts to the editor. Comments must be in English. Thank you.

1 exocet82 (#) Feb 27th, 2010 - 11:14 pm Report abuse
Our President Cristina Fernandez was the first foreign leader to call President Bachilet to offer whatever assistane that may be needed. All Argentines are deeply saddened by this tragedy and we all pray that our borthers will recover quickly.
2 Luis (#) Feb 28th, 2010 - 12:54 am Report abuse
Mis condolencias a los familiares de las victimas y confio en que pronto los hermanos puedan superar esta tragedia y seguir adelante como siempre.
3 exocet82 (#) Feb 28th, 2010 - 04:43 am Report abuse
Luis, yo comparto tu sentimiento.
4 exocet82 (#) Feb 28th, 2010 - 05:56 pm Report abuse
So far I don't see any heart felt condolensces posted from our “Malvinense” or “British” friends. I suppose that there is nothing to capitalize from this terrible tragedy that has befallen our Chilean brothers and Mercosur partners. Not much sympathy from those who owe their “freedom” to the Chilean dicatorship.
5 exocet82 (#) Mar 01st, 2010 - 04:39 am Report abuse
Reality sets in on Chiles' leadership. Only now is the true magnitude of this tragedy being realized. Chiles President, Michele Bachilet, has finally accepted international aid. The first assistance comes from it's historic close neighbor, Argentina. Aid comes in the form of two field hospitals, water purification equipment, vaccines, emergency communicatrion equipment, etc. etc. THIS IS A TIME TO SET POLITICS ASIDE AND TO JOIN TOGETHER TO OFFER THE CHILEAN PEOPLE OUR SUPPORT AND SOLIDARITY. Argentines do not pride themselves in having to provide help in these types of situations, but hopefully this assistance will serve the Chilean people well and will contribute to a quick recovery.
6 JustinKuntz (#) Mar 01st, 2010 - 11:07 am Report abuse
You know something, not everything is about Argentina. We just offered help, we didn't make a big deal about it. Trying to take a cheap shot exploiting this tragedy is just pathetic, really it is.
7 umad (#) Mar 02nd, 2010 - 01:40 am Report abuse
Amazing, exocet82 decided to shove in the Falkland Islands issue by acting like he has some moral superiority. Disgusting ultra nationalist.
8 exocet82 (#) Mar 02nd, 2010 - 02:36 am Report abuse
I did not “shove in the Fu-klands”, I mentioned the Malvinas. I repeat myself, I am surprised that no one is capitalizing on this tragedy, given the record that many participants have at finding pleasure at any minor mishap that may affect the Argentines.
I also said, THIS IS A TIME TO SET POLITICS ASIDE AND TO JOIN TOGETHER TO OFFER THE CHILEAN PEOPLE OUR SUPPORT AND SOLIDARITY...and yes, I am a disgusting ultranationalist, much to your distaste.
9 islander (#) Mar 03rd, 2010 - 02:11 pm Report abuse
exocet82 - you really are a nasty little bit of slime. Firstly you try to make politics out of Chile,s catastrophe - then immediatley deny it - then you cannot even write the international UN official names for the Islands without trying to turn one of them into obscenity - that sums you up - a little bit of irrelevant obscenity. The Islands are known internationaly and fullly UN approved by BOTH names. The one you like is of course of French origen anyway. A letter has been sent from the Islands Govt, yes it would have been better sent on Monday, but I expect the President had lots of them every day.
10 globetrotter (#) Mar 03rd, 2010 - 02:36 pm Report abuse
What planet is this exocet guy on? It is not in our (British) culture to sing and dance about every bit of aid or condolence we may offer people in suffering around the world and, before he switches on his homing radar, neither do the Germans, Austrians or most other European countries for that matter. As to suggest / imply that, the Falkland islanders are heartless people without any sense of feeling of compasion is just bizzare....ask the Polish fishermen eg. who stayed on the islands after their ship went on fire in the late 1980's.
Somebody send a Tomakawk through this guy's toilet window please.

Commenting for this story is now closed.
If you have a Facebook account, become a fan and comment on our Facebook Page!

Advertisement

Get Email News Reports!

Get our news right on your inbox.
Subscribe Now!