8.8 Earthquake Strikes Chile; Tsunami Generated

[RemixNinja]

I just saw on Twitter that an 8.3 earthquake hit Chile.  I am trying to find a source.  Will write more as I find more.

**Update:  Here's a link - http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N27157197.htm

8.3-magnitude quake hits Chile- USGS
27 Feb 2010 06:47:55 GMT
Source: Reuters
SANTIAGO, Chile, Feb 27 (Reuters) - A massive magnitude-8.3 earthquake struck near Concepcion, Chile early on Saturday, USGS reported, shaking buildings and causing blackouts in parts of the capital of Santiago.

A Reuters witness reported shaking buildings and loss of electricity in Santiago.

(Reporting by Alonso Soto and Doina Chiacu)

***http://wcatwc.arh.noaa.gov/2010/02/27/725245/01/message725245-01.htm

To: U.S. West Coast, Alaska, and British Columbia coastal regions
From: NOAA/NWS/West Coast and Alaska Tsunami Warning Center
Subject: Tsunami Information Statement #1 issued 02/26/2010 at 10:49PM PST

A strong earthquake has occurred, but a tsunami IS NOT expected along the California, Oregon, Washington, British Columbia, or Alaska coast. NO tsunami warning, watch or advisory is in effect for these areas.

A tsunami may have been generated that could potentially impact the U.S. west coast, British Columbia, and Alaska. The West Coast/Alaska Tsunami Warning Center is investigating the event to determine the level of danger. More information will be issued as it becomes available.

At 10:34 PM Pacific Standard Time on February 26, an earthquake with preliminary magnitude 8.5 occurred near the coast of central Chile . (Refer to the United States Geological Survey for official earthquake parameters.)

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Ewa Beach, Hawaii will issue a tsunami warning for regions near the epicenter.

Messages will continue to be issued hourly by the WCATWC until the event status is upgraded to a warning or advisory, or until the center has determined that the event poses no threat to the California, Oregon, Washington, British Columbia, and Alaska coasts. See the WCATWC web site for basic tsunami information, safety rules, and a tsunami travel time map and table. (NOTE: Travel time maps and tables indicate forecasted times only, not that a wave dangerous to the U.S. and Canadian coasts was generated.)

[adissenter2]

getting hits from international news

SANTIAGO, Chile (Reuters) – A massive magnitude-8.3 earthquake struck near Concepcion, Chile early on Saturday, USGS reported, shaking buildings and causing blackouts in parts of the capital of Santiago.

A Reuters witness reported shaking buildings and loss of electricity in Santiago.

[Optimus]

http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/recenteqsww/Quakes/us2010tfan.php

Magnitude   8.3
Date-Time   

    * Saturday, February 27, 2010 at 06:34:17 UTC
    * Saturday, February 27, 2010 at 03:34:17 AM at epicenter
    * Time of Earthquake in other Time Zones

Location   35.826°S, 72.669°W
Depth   59.4 km (36.9 miles)
Region   OFFSHORE MAULE, CHILE
Distances   100 km (60 miles) NNW of Chillan, Chile
100 km (65 miles) WSW of Talca, Chile
115 km (75 miles) NNE of Concepcion, Chile
320 km (200 miles) SW of SANTIAGO, Chile
Location Uncertainty   horizontal +/- 10.6 km (6.6 miles); depth +/- 40 km (24.9 miles)
Parameters   NST=220, Nph=220, Dmin=>999 km, Rmss=1.09 sec, Gp= 36°,
M-type=teleseismic moment magnitude (Mw), Version=6
Source   

    * USGS NEIC (WDCS-D)

Event ID   us2010tfan

    * This event has been reviewed by a seismologist.

[Optimus]

Tsunami warning issued for Chile, Peru after quake
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE61Q0S920100227

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A tsunami warning was issued early on Saturday for Chile and Peru and a tsunami watch was issued for Ecuador, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center reported, after a massive earthquake in Chile.

World  |  Natural Disasters

The warning was issued after the magnitude 8.5 earthquake struck the coast of Chile near Concepcion.

The center said: "An earthquake of this size has the potential to generate a destructive tsunami that can strike coastlines near the epicenter within minutes and more distant coastlines within hours.

[UKStewart82]

Here's a nice tool for Google Earth to track Earthquakes.  Fortunately it looks pretty rural around this quake.

http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/catalogs/

[larsonstdoc]

 2 big earthquakes in one day--Chile and Japan

[Optimus]

This site says a tsunami has been observed and details coming soon.

http://hisz.rsoe.hu/alertmap/read/index.php?pageid=tsunami_read&tsid=394

[maim]

 2 big earthquakes in one day--Chile and Japan

1 on each end of the pacific

[larsonstdoc]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35615455/ns/world_news-americas

8.3-magnitude quake hits southern Chile
Temblor sparks tsunami warning for Chile, Peru; watch issued for Ecuador
   



BREAKING NEWS

updated 4 minutes ago
A massive magnitude-8.3 earthquake struck near Concepcion, Chile, early on Saturday, the U.S. Geological Survey reported, shaking buildings and causing blackouts in parts of the capital of Santiago.

A tsunami warning was issued for Chile and Peru by the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, and a tsunami watch was issued for Ecuador.

The earthquake struck 56 miles northeast of Concepcion at a depth of 34 miles at 3:34 a.m. (1:34 a.m. ET). It's magnitude was reported at 8.3 and 8.5, then fixed by the USGS at 8.3.

People streamed onto the streets of the Chilean capital, more than 200 miles north of the epicenter, hugging each other and crying, a Reuters witness reported. Buildings shook and there were blackouts in parts of the city.

The Reuters witness reported very strong shaking lasting for 10 to 30 seconds.

A national emergency official told local radio the government was evaluating damage in and around Concepcion.

In 1960, Chile was hit by the world's biggest earthquake since records dating back to 1900, USGS data shows. The 9.5 magnitude quake devastated the south-central city of Valdivia, killing 1,655 people and sending a tsunami which battered Easter Island 2,300 miles off Chile's Pacific seaboard and continued as far as Hawaii, Japan and the Philippines.

[Optimus]

Hawaii under tsunami advisory after massive quake strikes off Chile
http://www.starbulletin.com/news/bulletin/85636222.html
By Star-Bulletin staff

POSTED: 09:29 p.m. HST, Feb 26, 2010

Hawaii is under a tsunami advisory and a warning has been issued for two South American countries after a massive earthquake off the coast of Chile.

The quake, initially estimated at magnitude 8.3 by the U.S. Geological Survey, struck at 3:34 a.m. Saturday (8:34 p.m. Friday Hawaii time). It was centered about 37 miles below the ocean surface offshore of Maule, Chile, 60 miles north-northwest of Chillan.

Officials at the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Ewa Beach are monitoring water level gauges. If a tsunami was generated, it would take 14 and a half hours to get to Hawaii.

Vindell Hsu, a geophysict at the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, said it's still too early to tell if a tsunami is coming to Hawaii.

"It's too early to scare the public," he said. "Hawaii is still under advisory."

"This is a big one," he added. "At this magnitude it's very likely a tsunami will be generated, but we are waiting for the water level data."

He said the data would be coming in about 9:35 p.m. and the warning center would put out a statement.

If a tsunami did reach Hawaii it would affect all islands, he said.

PTWC officials issued a tsunami warning for Chile and Peru, and a tsunami watch for Ecuador.

"It is not known that a tsunami was generated. This warning is based only on the earthquake evaluation," the warning center's bulletin says. "An earthquake of this size has the potential to generate a destructive tsunami that can strike coastlines near the epicenter within minutes and more distant coastlines within hours. Authorities should take appropriate action in response to this possibility. This center will monitor sea level data from gauges near the earthquake to  determine if a tsunami was generated and estimate the severity of the threat."

An earthquake off Chile in 1960 generated a tsunami in Hilo that killed 61 people. The earthquake, the largest ever recorded at a magnitude 9.6, sent waves of up to 30 feet to Hilo about 15 hours after the temblor, according to an online account by Pacific Tsunami Warning Center scientist Gerard Fryer.

The tsunami caused about 2,000 deaths in Chile. The waves also flooded the coastline of Japan where 10-foot waves caused 200 deaths. Tsunami damage was also reported in the Marquesas, Samoa, and New Zealand.

[Optimus]

http://wcatwc.arh.noaa.gov/2010/02/27/725245/02/message725245-02.htm

To: U.S. West Coast, Alaska, and British Columbia coastal regions
From: NOAA/NWS/West Coast and Alaska Tsunami Warning Center
Subject: Tsunami Information Statement #2 issued 02/26/2010 at 11:52PM PST

A strong earthquake has occurred, but a tsunami IS NOT expected along the California, Oregon, Washington, British Columbia, or Alaska coast. NO tsunami warning, watch or advisory is in effect for these areas.

A tsunami has been generated that could potentially impact the U.S. west coast, British Columbia, and Alaska. The West Coast/Alaska Tsunami Warning Center is investigating the event to determine the level of danger. More information will be issued as it becomes available.

A tsunami has been observed at the following sites:

 Location                   Lat.   Lon.    Time        Amplitude
 ------------------------  -----  ------  -------     -----------

 83min     Talcahuano  C   36.7S   73.1W  0716UTC      1.15M/3.8FT
 45min     Valparaiso  C   33.0S   71.4W  0706UTC      1.29M/4.2FT
           Juan Ferdandez C 33.617S 78.83W             0.19M/0.6FT

Time - Time of measurement.
Amp. - Tsunami amplitudes are measured relative to normal sea level. It is NOT crest-to-trough wave height. Values are given in both meters (M) and feet (FT).

At 10:34 PM Pacific Standard Time on February 26, an earthquake with preliminary magnitude 8.6 (REVISED FROM 8.5) occurred near the coast of central Chile . (Refer to the United States Geological Survey for official earthquake parameters.)

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Ewa Beach, Hawaii will issue a tsunami warning for regions near the epicenter.

Messages will continue to be issued hourly by the WCATWC until the event status is upgraded to a warning or advisory, or until the center has determined that the event poses no threat to the California, Oregon, Washington, British Columbia, and Alaska coasts. See the WCATWC web site for basic tsunami information, safety rules, and a tsunami travel time map and table. (NOTE: Travel time maps and tables indicate forecasted times only, not that a wave dangerous to the U.S. and Canadian coasts was generated.)

[carlee]

                 

[Optimus]

http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/recenteqsww/Quakes/us2010tfan.php

Magnitude   8.3
Date-Time   

    * Saturday, February 27, 2010 at 06:34:17 UTC
    * Saturday, February 27, 2010 at 03:34:17 AM at epicenter
    * Time of Earthquake in other Time Zones

Location   35.826°S, 72.669°W
Depth   59.4 km (36.9 miles)
Region   OFFSHORE MAULE, CHILE
Distances   100 km (60 miles) NNW of Chillan, Chile
100 km (65 miles) WSW of Talca, Chile
115 km (75 miles) NNE of Concepcion, Chile
320 km (200 miles) SW of SANTIAGO, Chile
Location Uncertainty   horizontal +/- 10.6 km (6.6 miles); depth +/- 40 km (24.9 miles)
Parameters   NST=220, Nph=220, Dmin=>999 km, Rmss=1.09 sec, Gp= 36°,
M-type=teleseismic moment magnitude (Mw), Version=6
Source   

    * USGS NEIC (WDCS-D)

Event ID   us2010tfan

    * This event has been reviewed by a seismologist.

They upgraded the earthquake to a 8.8

[carlee]

8.8-magnitude earthquake hits Chile
Buildings fall 200 miles from epicenter in Santiago; casualties unknown


 massive magnitude-8.8 earthquake struck near the coast of south-central Chile early on Saturday, collapsing buildings and causing blackouts in parts of the capital Santiago, 200 miles away.

A tsunami warning was issued for Chile and Peru by the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, and a tsunami watch was issued for Ecuador, Colombia, Panama, Costa Rica and Antarctica.

Soon after, the U.S. Geological Survey said the quake had generated a tsunami that may have been destructive along the Chilean coast near the epicenter.The USGS said the earthquake struck 56 miles northeast of the city of Concepcion at a depth of 34 miles at 3:34 a.m. (1:34 ET). Its magnitude was initially reported at 8.3 then 8.5.

Buildings shook and collapsed in Santiago. With phone lines down, confirmation of damage was difficult elsewhere, especially further south toward the epicenter. The quake was felt in Argentina as well.

An earthquake of magnitude 8 or over is classified as a "great" earthquake that can cause "tremendous damage," according to the USGS Web site. The earthquake that devastated Haiti's capital Port-au-Prince on Jan. 12 was rated at magnitude 7.0.

According to a 2002 census, Concepcion is one of the largest cities in Chile with a population of around 670,000. The quake knocked out power in nearby coastal areas.

Shaking, blackouts in Santiago
People streamed onto the streets of the Chilean capital, more than 200 miles north of the epicenter, hugging each other and crying, a Reuters witness reported. Buildings shook and there were blackouts in parts of the city.

The Reuters witness reported very strong shaking lasting for 10 to 30 seconds.

A national emergency official told local radio the government was evaluating damage in and around Concepcion.

The quake struck far from Chile's copper-producing northern region. Chile is the world's biggest producer of copper, its main export, producing about 34 percent of world supply of the metal, which is used in electronics, cars and refrigerators.

In 1960, Chile was hit by the world's biggest earthquake since records dating back to 1900, USGS data shows. The 9.5 magnitude quake devastated the south-central city of Valdivia, killing 1,655 people and sending a tsunami which battered Easter Island 2,300 miles off Chile's Pacific seaboard and continued as far as Hawaii, Japan and the Philippines.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35615455/ns/world_news-americas/

[Optimus]

USGS reports 8.8-magnitude earthquake hits Chile
http://www.wlos.com/template/inews_wire/wires.international/34dac8c1-www.wlos.com.shtml
February 27, 2010 03:15 EST

SANTIAGO, Chile (AP) -- Some buildings in Chile's capital have collapsed in a massive earthquake that's now put at magnitude 8.8.

Quakes that size are capable of causing tremendous damage. A tsunami warning was also issued.

The U.S. Geological Survey says the quake hit in southern Chile, 197 miles southwest of the capital, Santiago, at a depth of 36.9 miles at 1:34 a.m. EST.

Its epicenter was just 75 miles from Concepcion, Chile's second-largest city, where more than 200,000 people live along the Bio Bio river. It was just 60 miles from the ski town of Chillan, a gateway to Andean ski resorts that was destroyed in a 1939 earthquake.

[Optimus]

USGS says Chile quake generated tsunami
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20100227/local/usgs-says-chile-quake-generated-tsunami

The huge 8.8-magnitude earthquake that struck central Chile early today generated a tsunami that may have been destructive along the coast near the epicenter, a U.S. agency said.

"Sea level readings indicate a tsunami was generated," the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said on its website. "It may have been destructive along coasts near the earthquake epicenter and could also be a threat to more distant coasts."

It did not have details on the size of the tsunami.

The earthquake was initially reported as having a magnitude of 8.3 but that was later raised by the US agency.

[Guns Equal Freedom]

I hope everybody is OK in Chile.

[Optimus]

Massive earthquake hits Chile, collapses buildings, sets off tsunami
http://www.thestar.com/news/world/article/772558--massive-earthquake-hits-chile-collapses-buildings-sets-off-tsunami

 SANTIAGO, CHILE – A massive 8.8-magnitude earthquake capable of tremendous damage struck central Chile early Saturday, shaking the capital for a minute and half and setting off a tsunami. Buildings collapsed and phone lines and electricity were down, making the extent of the damage difficult to determine.

The quake hit 200 miles (325 kilometres) southwest of the capital, Santiago, and at a depth of 22 miles (35 kilometres) at 3:34 a.m. (0634 GMT; 1:34 a.m. EST), the U.S. Geological Survey reported. Its epicentre was just 70 miles (115 kilometres) from Concepcion, Chile's second-largest city, where more than 200,000 people live along the Bio Bio river, and 60 miles from the ski town of Chillan, a gateway to Andean ski resorts that was destroyed in a 1939 earthquake.

Buildings shook and collapsed in Santiago. With phone lines down, confirmation of damage was difficult elsewhere, especially further south toward the epicentre. The quake was felt in Argentina as well.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued a warning for Chile and Peru, and a less-urgent tsunami watch for Ecuador, Colombia, Panama, Costa Rica and Antarctica.

"Sea level readings indicate a tsunami was generated. It may have been destructive along coasts near the earthquake epicentre and could also be a threat to more distant coasts," the centre said.

The U.S. west coast tsunami warning centre said it did not expect a tsunami along the west of the U.S. or Canada but was continuing to monitor the situation.

The largest earthquake ever recorded struck the same area of Chile on May 22, 1960. The magnitude-9.5 quake killed 1,655 people and left 2 million homeless. The tsunami that it caused killed people in Hawaii, Japan and the Philippines and caused damage to the west coast of the United States.

[Optimus]

Strong 6.2 Magnitude Aftershock Hits Chile After Massive 8.8 Quake
http://www.newsonnews.net/news/2055-strong-6-2-magnitude-aftershock-hits-chile-after-massive-8-8-quake.html

Last Updated on Saturday, 27 February 2010 09:03 Saturday, 27 February 2010 09:03
Written by Kevin Coy

Chile EarthquakeTsunami Watch issued for Hawaii with any waves due just after 11am local time.

A very strong aftershock of 6.2 magnitude has hit Chile, just hours after amassive magnitude 8.8 earthquake has struck the country of Chile, triggering a tsunami, and killing at least 6 people according to the Chilean President.  Preperations are reportedly underway for a major disaster relief effort, with the death toll expected to rise significantly.  The earthquake epicenter is located close to the cities of Chillan and Concepcion, the latter being the second largest city in the country.

A Tsunami watch has now been issued for Hawaii, with any waves that may arrive, doing so just after 11am local Hawaiian time.

The NOAA said; "A tsunami has been generated that could potentially impact the U.S. west coast, British Columbia, and Alaska. The West Coast/Alaska Tsunami Warning Center is investigating the event to determine the level of danger." 

Shaking and power outages have also been reported in the Chillean capital of Santiago, which is some 200 miles from the epicenter.  Some unconfirmed reports also suggest that some buildings may have collapsed in the city.

The quake struck shortly after 03:30 local time, 06:30 GMT, at a depth of 36.9 miles, which is sufficient enough to trigger a destructive tsunami.

A tsunami warning is in effect for the South American Pacific Coast, stretching up as far as Ecuador, and the authorities of the Hawaiian Islands have been put on alert, although no warnings or watches have been issued so far.

A tsunami has been observed at the following sites:

                 Location             Lat.   Lon.    Time               Amplitude
 83min     Talcahuano  C   36.7S   73.1W  0716UTC      1.15M/3.8FT
 45min     Valparaiso  C   33.0S   71.4W  0706UTC      1.29M/4.2FT
           Juan Ferdandez C 33.617S 78.83W                   0.19M/0.6FT

[UKStewart82]

Are these eruptions real?!?!  Someone please help me decifer this....

http://hisz.rsoe.hu/alertmap/index2.php?area=dam&lang=eng

[Scootle]

Damn ... I couldn't sleep at all last night for some reason ... I wasn't stressed, I wasn't being kept awake by noise or anything I just couldn't sleep. It was like there was some weird energy in the air. I got up wondering if this was a sign or something and that something bad was going to happen ... and sure enough.

[UKStewart82]

Damn ... I couldn't sleep at all last night for some reason ... I wasn't stressed, I wasn't being kept awake by noise or anything I just couldn't sleep. It was like there was some weird energy in the air. I got up wondering if this was a sign or something and that something bad was going to happen ... and sure enough.

I've been searching boards, lots of people saying the same thing.  I remember I had nightmares the night before 9/11.  The human spirit is definetly mysterious.

[TheCaliKid]

Big earthquakes are becoming quite the norm...............anyone else find this a little suspect?

The mad scientists have inherited the earth. God help us.

[maim]

Big earthquakes are becoming quite the norm...............anyone else find this a little suspect?

The mad scientists have inherited the earth. God help us.

well, techtonic shifts would be consistent with a polar shift as they earths crust adjusts to the shifting poles.

[The_lizard]

WOW, that's a big one.

[AlphaM]

The entire west coast is now under a tsunami advisory.

[Piltdown Man]

The entire west coast is now under a tsunami advisory.

not the entire...
just the outer coastal areas of california, a bit of Alaska.
Washington, Oregon, Canada OK

http://wcatwc.arh.noaa.gov/2010/02/27/725245/05/wwareas725245-05.gif

[Nailer]

CNN: 40 meter waves hit the Juan Fernandez island Quote

40 meters is almost 120 feet!


Hawaii Civil Defense Has Been Activated - TSUNAMI WARNING

http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/Global/story.asp?S=12054897


Hawaii County Police scanners

http://www.radioreference.com/apps/audio/?feedId=866



Tsunami waning center
http://www.prh.noaa.gov/ptwc/

[Nailer]

THE ESTIMATED ARRIVAL TIME IN HAWAII OF THE FIRST TSUNAMI WAVE IS

1119 AM HST SAT 27 FEB 2010

MESSAGES WILL BE ISSUED HOURLY OR SOONER AS CONDITIONS WARRANT

http://www.prh.noaa.gov/ptwc/messages/hawaii/2010/hawaii.2010.02.27.104650.txt

[Nailer]

EASTER ISLAND BATTERED 1655 people dead in the southern central city of VALDIVA Source

http://www.einnews.com/oceania/newsfeed-easter-island

[Piltdown Man]

civil defense will be sounding alarms at 6am Hawaii time, two hours from now
Listen to Hawaii news here:

http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/Global/category.asp?C=176904&nav=menu55_1_1

[sharpsteve]

EASTER ISLAND BATTERED 1655 people dead in the southern central city of VALDIVA Source

http://www.einnews.com/oceania/newsfeed-easter-island

CNN just said unconfirmed reports of 30 to 40 meter high waves hitting Easter Island

[agentbluescreen]

Big earthquakes are becoming quite the norm...............anyone else find this a little suspect?

The mad scientists have inherited the earth. God help us.

It's due to ocean bed decalcification, the result of acid rain. *Sulphuric and nitric, NOT "carbonic"...

[Georgiacopguy]

I was up every hour, my sleep was fitful, and i had at least three nightmares, when i never have nightmares, just dreams. Although I did not make the connection until i woke up and watched the news.

I've been searching boards, lots of people saying the same thing.  I remember I had nightmares the night before 9/11.  The human spirit is definetly mysterious.

[Piltdown Man]

Giant wave
Reuters reported that a tsunami caused by the quake caused "serious damage" to Chile's sparsely populated Juan Fernández Islands. Citing local police, CNN reported that the islands had been hit by a 40-meter (131 foot) wave.

 www.msnbc.msn.com

[sharpsteve]

Tsunami preliminary forecast model energy map
http://wcatwc.arh.noaa.gov/chile/chileem.jpg

[Piltdown Man]

Earlier today, a magnitude 7 earthquake hit near Okinawa, Japan, at about 5:31 a.m. local time, the USGS said.

[Piltdown Man]

hey sharpsteve, great looking map, please give a link ty

[Piltdown Man]

[sharpsteve]

hey sharpsteve, great looking map, please give a link ty

Added it at top. here it is also
http://wcatwc.arh.noaa.gov/chile/chileem.jpg