The 2010 Chile earthquake occurred off the coast of either the Maule Region or the Biobío Region of Chile on February 27, 2010, at 03:34 local time (06:34 UTC), rating a magnitude of 8.8 on the moment magnitude scale, with intense shaking lasting for about three minutes. It ranks as the sixth largest earthquake ever to be recorded by a seismograph. It was felt strongly in six Chilean regions (from Valparaíso in the north to Araucanía in the south), that together make up about 80 percent of the country's population. According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS) the cities experiencing the strongest shaking—VIII (Destructive) on the Mercalli intensity scale (MM)—were Arauco and Coronel. According to Chile's Seismological Service Concepción experienced the strongest shaking at MM IX (Violent). The earthquake was felt in the capital Santiago at MM VII (Very Strong) or MM VIII. Tremors were felt in many Argentine cities, including Buenos Aires, Córdoba, Mendoza and La Rioja. Tremors were felt as far north as the city of Ica in southern Peru (approx. 2400 km). The earthquake triggered a tsunami which devastated several coastal towns in south-central Chile and damaged the port at Talcahuano. Tsunami warnings were issued in 53 countries, and the wave caused minor damage in the San Diego area of California and in the Tōhoku region of Japan, where damage to the fisheries business was estimated at ¥6.26 billion (USD$66.7 million). The earthquake also generated a blackout that affected 93 percent of the country's population and which went on for several days in some locations. President Michelle Bachelet declared a "state of catastrophe" and sent military troops to take control of the most affected areas. The latest death toll is 562 victims (down from early reports on March 3 of 802).
According to the USGS the epicenter of the earthquake was about 3 km (1.9 miles) off the coast of Pelluhue commune in the Maule Region. This is about 6 km (3.7 miles) west of the village of Chovellén, 15 km (9.3 miles) southwest of the town of Pelluhue and at a point approximately 100 km (62 miles) away from the following four provincial capitals: Talca (to the north-east), Linares (to the east), Chillán (to the south-east) and Concepción (to the south). Chile's Seismological Service located the quake's epicenter at about 34 km (21 miles) off the coast of Ñuble Province in the Biobío Region. This is 60 km (37 miles) north of Concepción and 170 km (110 miles) south-west of Talca.
Cars lie overturned after the highway they were travelling on was destroyed in an earthquake in Santiago February 27, 2010. (REUTERS/Marco Fredes)
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A resident of Talca, Chile, walks amid debris of a destroyed house after a powerful earthquake struck the country early Saturday, Feb. 27, 2010. (AP Photo/Roberto Candia)
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Residents look at the body of a dead man lying in a street of Talca, some 275 kilometers south of Santiago, Saturday, Feb. 27, 2010, after an 8.8-magnitude struck central Chile. The quake hit 200 miles (325 kilometers) southwest of the capital and the epicenter was just 70 miles (115 kilometers) from Concepcion, Chile's second-largest city. (AP Photo/Roberto Candia)
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The walls and aisles of a pharmacy in Vina del Mar are seen destroyed after a huge 8.8-magnitude earthquake rocked Chile early on February 27, 2010. The massive quake plunged much of the Chilean capital, Santiago, into darkness as it snapped power lines and severed communications, and AFP journalists spoke of walls and masonry collapsing. People in pajamas fled onto the streets. (MARTIN BERNETTI/AFP/Getty Images)
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People walk along a highway with a collapsed bridge in the background in the outskirts of Santiago after a huge 8.8-magnitude earthquake rocked Chile early on February 27, 2010. (MARTIN BERNETTI/AFP/Getty Images)
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A police officer controls the traffic aside of an elevated highway that collapsed in Santiago following a powerful earthquake in central Chile, Saturday, Feb. 27, 2010. (AP Photo/David Lillo)
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Smoke from a burning building fills the sky in the outskirts of Santiago after a huge 8.8-magnitude earthquake rocked Chile on February 27, 2010. (MARTIN BERNETTI/AFP/Getty Images)
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A resident takes photos of a building damaged in Talca, Chile, Saturday, Feb. 27, 2010. (AP Photo/Sebastian Martinez)
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With a computer graphic showing the possible path of tsunami waves from an earthquake in Chile, Dr. Charles McCreery speaks on the phone at the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, Saturday, Feb. 27, 2010 in Ewa Beach, Hawaii. The State of Hawaii is under a tsunami warning after an 8.8 magnitude earthquake rattled Chile today. (AP Photo/Marco Garcia)
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A police officer and residents carry a body from a destroyed house in Talca, Chile, some 275 kilometers south of Santiago, Saturday, Feb. 27, 2010 after an 8.8-magnitude struck central Chile. (AP Photo/Sebastian Martinez)
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A survivor is lowered by a cable as rescue workers search for victims after an apartment complex collapsed during an earthquake in Concepcion, Chile on February 27, 2010. (REUTERS/Jose Luis Saavedra)
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Photograph taken this morning of Concepcion, Chile by astronaut Soichi Noguchi, aboard the International Space Station: "Concepcion, Chile. Mega earthquake (M8.3) hit this city this morning. Photo taken a few hours ago. We pray for you." On TwitPic (Shoichi Noguchi)
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Residents sleep in their cars, some because their homes are damaged and others for fear of aftershocks, after an earthquake in Concepcion February 28, 2010. (REUTERS/Jose Luis Saavedra)
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A destroyed bridge is seen next to Talca some 300 km (186 miles) south of Santiago February 27, 2010. (REUTERS/Victor Ruiz Caballero)
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Fishing boats washed up by a wave generated by an earthquake are seen in Talcahuano Port, a city just outside Concepcion, Chile on February 27, 2010. (REUTERS/Jose Luis Saavedra)
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Children walk past shipping containers washed up by a wave caused by an earthquake in Talcahuano Port, a city just outside Concepcion, Chile on February 27, 2010. (REUTERS/Jose Luis Saavedra)
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A policeman looks at cars washed against an apartment building by a wave generated by an earthquake in Talcahuano Port, near Concepcion, Chile on February 27, 2010. (REUTERS/Jose Luis Saavedra)
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Chile's President Michelle Bachelet looks at collapsed houses after an earthquake in Concepcion, Chile, Saturday, Feb. 27, 2010. (AP Photo/Chile Presidency)
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A car is seen submerged in a flooded area due to a tsunami in Talcahuano the day after a huge 8.8-magnitude earthquake rocked Chile early morning killing at least 300 people, on February 28, 2010. The South American nation has been hit by numerous aftershocks, some reaching over 6 points on the Richter scale, as well as heavy damages in coastal towns resulting from subsequent tsunamis. (MARTIN BERNETTI/AFP/Getty Images)
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A flooded area is seen after an earthquake in Pelluhue, some 322 kms, about 200 miles, southwest of Santiago, Sunday, Feb. 28, 2010. (AP Photo/Roberto Candia)
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Residents try to force their way into a supermarket to buy food and essentials as police try to keep order after an earthquake in Concepcion February 28, 2010. (REUTERS/Jose Luis Saavedra)
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Residents loot a supermarket after an earthquake in Concepcion February 28, 2010. Chilean rescuers used shovels and sledgehammers on Sunday to find survivors of a huge earthquake in Chile that unleashed a Pacific tsunami and triggered looting by desperate and hungry residents. (REUTERS/Jose Luis Saavedra)
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A boat lies marooned on a street in Talcahuano, Chile, Monday, March 1, 2010. An 8.8-magnitude earthquake struck central Chile early Saturday triggering a tsunami that hit coastal communities
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Containers lie scattered amid buildings from a tsunami caused by a massive 8.8 magnitude earthquake in Talcahuano, Chile, 20 kms from Concepcion on March 1, 2010.
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An armed man stands guard on his rooftop in Talcahunao, Chile on March 1, 2010, as civil unrest and mass looting has led to a curfew being imposed
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People surf the Internet outside a phone company that set up free wireless access, phone lines and power outlets in Concepcion, Chile, Thursday, March 4, 2010. Large areas of Concepcion still lack power and phones after the earthquake that hit Chile's central coastal region on Feb. 27.
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aitian cousins Pierre Richard Desarmes, left, Philomene Seraphin, center, and Jean Mary Pierre chat online with family members living in Haiti in San Bernardo, Chile, Wednesday, March 3, 2010. After a strong earthquake hit Haiti on Jan. 12, the Desarmes family moved to Chile - which was hit by a strong earthquake less than two months later on Feb. 27.
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A suspected looter lies on the ground after he was arrested in Talcahuano March 6, 2010.
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A circus lion which escaped from its cage during the earthquake last week, is partially buried after it was shot by police at Iloca town, south of Santiago, March 6, 2010.
The Following 5 Users Say Thank You to güttsfükk For This Useful Post:
Re: The 2010 Chile Earthquake & Tsunami. (27 February 2010)
Wow! Gutts pics can say so much..What a horrific mess ..Have to really feel for these families..Thank you for taking the time to upload all these Gutts..
The Following User Says Thank You to DarwinsMistake For This Useful Post:
02-28-2010, 10:15 PM
