Monday, March 26, 2012

Chile earthquake 2012: No deaths, 14 injured in strong temblor

earthquake 2012
Santiago, Chile – On Sunday, a 7.1 magnitude earthquake hit central Chile, resulting in mass panic and evacuation for 25,000 residents living in coastal areas. Despite the strong temblor, no one was killed and only 14 people were injured, according to officials.
On Sunday night, a strong earthquake shook central Chile prompting officials to recommend coast evacuations in the event of a tsunami.
The 8.8 temblor also created panic in some states with The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issuing a tsunami advisory warning for most of the United States West Coast, including Alaska.
About 100,000 residents and tourists were evacuated from low-lying areas of the Hawaiian Islands where authorities believed an 8-foot tsunami could be damaging and destructive. Nonetheless, Hawaii was ultimately spared from such waves, and on Sunday, beaches were filled once again with tourists and those taking in the sun.
In the meantime, officials in Chile continue rescue efforts, attempting to locate survivors under the massive amount of rubble, and find those who may be missing due to the chaos.
According to the AP, the largest earthquake ever recorded struck the same area of Chile on May 22, 1960, measuring 9.5 on the Richter scale. During that disaster, 1,655 people were killed and millions became homeless.

The U.S. Geological Survey reports the 7.1 magnitude shaker hit 20 miles north-northwest of Talca and lasted about a minute. In addition, the agency estimates up to 214,000 people felt the severe shaking of the quake.
According to the Atlanta Journal Constitution, people who experienced the earthquake ran out of buildings in panic. In addition, phone service ceased due to the amount of people using phone lines and many areas were left without or with partial electricity service.
Authorities with the Chilean navy's hydrographic and oceanographic services announced the temblor was not the type to cause a tsunami, however, officials are not taking chances and maintained the evacuation recommendation.


The evacuation order ceased after the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Hawaii announced no risk existed for a tidal wave.
News 24 reports that one injury from the quake occurred during a car accident in the Bio Bio region, while another took place at a church in Santiago where people were hit with falling debris during mass.
The U.S. Geological Survey reports the 7.1 magnitude shaker hit 20 miles north-northwest of Talca and lasted about a minute. The epicenter was located 30 kilometers below the surface of the ground.



9QATimes.com 
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