BS: Earthquake in Chile

Subject: RE: BS: Earthquake in Chile
From: Maryrrf
Date: 01 Mar 10 - 10:16 AM

Given the enormity of the quake, I was pretty sure the death toll would rise. Chile has coped well, but the damage, which could have been worse, was still massive. I'm in regular touch with my relatives there, so I do get an insider's view of the situation. It's still pretty traumatic.

Subject: RE: BS: Earthquake in Chile
From: Ebbie
Date: 28 Feb 10 - 07:33 PM

The damage and deaths done in Chile are far greater than was first thought. More than 700 deaths counted already and more expected.

Subject: RE: BS: Earthquake in Chile
From: Alice
Date: 28 Feb 10 - 04:22 PM

The fault where the Chile earthquake originated is a thrust fault. Most of the motion is vertical. The deeper in the water the uplift, the more water would be moved to create a tsunami. The San Andreas fault in California, like the fault in Haiti, are slip faults that slide horizontally.

Subject: RE: BS: Earthquake in Chile
From: Ron Davies
Date: 28 Feb 10 - 04:02 PM

So it appears the tsunami which was feared for Hawaii did not hit Hawaii--the wave was about 3 1/2 feet high.   Explanation I heard was that the wave originated in shallower water than they had thought.   Does that make sense as an explanation?

But aftershocks in Chile have been devastating.

Subject: RE: BS: Earthquake in Chile
From: Ebbie
Date: 27 Feb 10 - 09:33 PM

Thanks,

Subject: RE: BS: Earthquake in Chile
From: Alice
Date: 27 Feb 10 - 06:09 PM

Tsunami is a Japanese word that means harbor wave.

Subject: RE: BS: Earthquake in Chile
From: Ebbie
Date: 27 Feb 10 - 06:07 PM

Bonzo3, we used to call them tidal waves but since they are not caused by tides, the correct name is tsunami. (Wonder what language tsunami is? Indian?)

Subject: RE: BS: Earthquake in Chile
From: Tangledwood
Date: 27 Feb 10 - 06:05 PM

The tsunami warning is current for southern Queensland and New South Wales coast. Everybody has been warned to keep clear of beaches, which are apparently now deserted. First effects were forecast to occur about 45 minutes ago but no reports on the news yet.

Subject: RE: BS: Earthquake in Chile
From: Alice
Date: 27 Feb 10 - 04:23 PM

Reports of water receding out and change in color of the water beyond the breakwall at Hilo Bay. It will take more time for the surge to arrive.

Subject: RE: BS: Earthquake in Chile
From: Alice
Date: 27 Feb 10 - 04:17 PM

I'm watching live video of Hilo Bay on CNN, and so far, no major waves. Hopefully, no flooding waves will come in.

Subject: RE: BS: Earthquake in Chile
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 27 Feb 10 - 04:06 PM

Presumably a tsunami means a tidal wave, I never received my information pack.

Subject: RE: BS: Earthquake in Chile
From: Alice
Date: 27 Feb 10 - 03:41 PM

30 minutes from now, the tsunami waves will reach Hawaii.

Subject: RE: BS: Earthquake in Chile
From: gnu
Date: 27 Feb 10 - 02:50 PM

The graphic has been replaced with a pic... sorry.

Subject: RE: BS: Earthquake in Chile
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 27 Feb 10 - 02:10 PM

According to recent reports, the tsunami alert extends to Austrailia, but with the earliest expected arrival of waves early Sunday morning (28 Feb 2010 AUS time).

An alert is the lowest level of warning, and generally doesn't trigger evacuation orders or recommendations, but anyone in the Pacific basin should pay attention to the current local news.

Hawaii warnings now are reminding people that the first wave generally is not the largest, and usually is followed by receding water that may expose beach areas not normally visible. People may think it's over and attempt to explore the novelty. Second and succeeding waves frequently are much larger, and may travel at up to about 600 mph so there will be no time to get to higher ground when the big 'uns come in.

West coast US areas also are under alerts, with mixed reports of how large any tsunami may be there.

John

Subject: RE: BS: Earthquake in Chile
From: gnu
Date: 27 Feb 10 - 02:00 PM

Good graphic here.

Subject: RE: BS: Earthquake in Chile
From: Bettynh
Date: 27 Feb 10 - 01:56 PM

Ron, http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/world/seismicity/s_america.php shows the plate edge clearly. The 1960 earthquake was followed by a volcanic eruption several months later.

Subject: RE: BS: Earthquake in Chile
From: gnu
Date: 27 Feb 10 - 01:55 PM

There are alerts for the Pacific coast of the US, also, from California to Alaska, to stay away from beaches, harbors and coastal areas... Alice

Same for BC.

Subject: RE: BS: Earthquake in Chile
From: Ebbie
Date: 27 Feb 10 - 01:51 PM

In Alaska's 1964 quake the tsunami it created did a lot of damage up and down the Pacific coast, reaching at least as far south as Crescent City, California. However, the effects were fairly minimal in Juneau.

The water rose enough that three boats that were moored with too short lines overturned but there was no wash to speak of.

Southeast Alaska is protected by dozens of islands scattered off the coast. Juneau's waters have no wave action at all (I miss them!) for that reason. The only time we have whitecaps is when it's very windy, making it choppy. And yet our waters are deep, behemoths of cruiseships navigate in and out of here.

Subject: RE: BS: Earthquake in Chile
From: Alice
Date: 27 Feb 10 - 01:41 PM

from BBC news.com

"Large waves are already reported to have struck Chile's Juan Fernandez island group, reaching halfway into one inhabited area. Three people there are missing, local media say. Two aid ships are reported to be on their way."

Yes, Ron, my first post in this thread pointed out that Chile has had the strongest recorded earthquake in the past. Chile is used to earthquakes and as Mary pointed out, their modern building construction takes that in to account.

Alice

Subject: RE: BS: Earthquake in Chile
From: Ron Davies
Date: 27 Feb 10 - 01:37 PM

It appears Chile also has had the alltime most powerful earthquake--9.5--in 1960, I believe. They must be particularly vulnerable-- tectonic plates?

Subject: RE: BS: Earthquake in Chile
From: Bettynh
Date: 27 Feb 10 - 01:28 PM

Reports from Easter Island are of a minimal tsunami (1 foot). Estimates are that it will reach Hawaii between 4 and 4:30 EST. 3 more hours to prepare...

Subject: RE: BS: Earthquake in Chile
From: Alice
Date: 27 Feb 10 - 01:19 PM

I just checked with a friend who lives on the Hilo side of the Big Island, but she says they live at 700 ft elevation, so they will be ok.

All of Hawaii has had tsunami warning sirens alert and coastal evacuations happening now.

There are alerts for the Pacific coast of the US, also, from California to Alaska, to stay away from beaches, harbors and coastal areas.



Alice

Subject: RE: BS: Earthquake in Chile
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 27 Feb 10 - 01:12 PM

Son with friends in the Cooks Islands; there is some worry about a possible tsunami.
About two weeks ago, a typhoon hit the Cooks, esp. Aitutaki, while my son and his wife were visiting. Much wind damage, but no deaths.

Subject: RE: BS: Earthquake in Chile
From: Ebbie
Date: 27 Feb 10 - 01:02 PM

I've been looking at photos of the area-they are truly chilling.

Subject: RE: BS: Earthquake in Chile
From: Maryrrf
Date: 27 Feb 10 - 12:14 PM

In Chile they have, and have had for a long time, very strict building codes. They know they are in an earthquake zone and plan accordingly. And, there is very little corruption in Chile - so no way to bribe building inspectors and get away with substandard work. (My ex sister in law is an architect in Chile - that's where I got this info). With an earthquake of this magnitude there's going to be damage, especially with older buildings, but it won't be nearly as bad as it would be if the buildings weren't sturdy and as earthquake proof as possible.

Subject: RE: BS: Earthquake in Chile
From: Alice
Date: 27 Feb 10 - 11:56 AM

I check the USGS earthquake web site almost every day, as I live near Yellowstone and we have earthquake swarms centered there from time to time.

I was curious yesterday in reading the history of recorded earthquakes on that site and that the most powerful recorded in history was in Chile. I had the radio on last night when the news came of the 8.8 hitting Chile.

Just watched video taped by surveillance cameras in Chile from when the earthquake hit... incredibly intense shaking that lasted over a minute.

The many aftershocks are also strong, 5 and 6, and one earthquake centered in Argentina now of 6.3.


USGS recent world earthquakes


Alice

Subject: RE: BS: Earthquake in Chile
From: Ebbie
Date: 27 Feb 10 - 11:49 AM

Over 8 on the Richter scale. That's horrendous. I so hope that Chile's homes and buildings are built to withstand such shocks. I know they have had a number of big ones in the past.

Subject: RE: BS: Earthquake in Chile
From: Maryrrf
Date: 27 Feb 10 - 10:00 AM

I woke up to this news this morning. My son is in Chile, visiting his dad. I was able to get through to them (they are in Santiago) and they are both okay, and now sharing their apartment with friends whose place was damaged. I'm still trying to find news about some of my friends and in laws.

Subject: BS: Earthquake in Chile
From: LilyFestre
Date: 27 Feb 10 - 07:57 AM

A massive earthquake in Chile with tsunami WARNINGS as far as Hawaii. Santigo and Concepcion Chile look decimated. They will be evacuating parts of Hawaii in the hopes of saving lives. It was an 8.9 with over 25 aftershocks and they're still coming.

Michelle