Chile Earthquake: Powerful 8.2 Magnitude Temblor Rattles Northern Area [Photos]
An 8.2 magnitude earthquake hit northern Chile followed by a Tsunami warning on Tuesday, according to the US Geological survey, which reported the epicenter was centered 60 miles northwest of Iquique, at a depth of 12.5 miles, stronger and deeper than original information.
Chile’s National Emergency Office tweeted information that it had asked citizens to evacuate coastal areas all around the area in the South American country.
CNN’s Chile bureau was reporting that people flocked to the streets and car pile-ups were seen, however, things appeared clam in a country that is used and constantly prepares for earthquakes.
Some photos of the scenes that followed the 8.2 earthquake in Chile have been posted to Twitter as well:
Foto de la exitosa evacuación en Iquique pic.twitter.com/fM6NsAHdou
— MDZ online (@mdzonline) April 2, 2014
According to a tweet from The Weather Channel some fires had started in certain business areas of the city of Iquique and the the Emergency Office has caused some landslides and were blocking some roads and highways.
Incendio afecta a locales comerciales en Iquique pic.twitter.com/8MQ9uNl1lU
— Diario Publimetro (@PublimetroChile) April 2, 2014
Massive 8.2 mag. earthquake struct off northern Chile coast tonight. Tsunami warnings for Chile, Peru, Ecuador. #PRAY pic.twitter.com/zGTe4hPmk1
— Mississauga Weather (@Wx_Mississauga) April 2, 2014
#Chile's emergency office: #Earthquake has caused landslides which are partially blocking some roads and highways. pic.twitter.com/xRIgW2edQQ
— CCTV America (@CCTV_America) April 2, 2014
Fox News is reporting aftershocks following the major earthquake in northern Chile, one of them as strong as 6.2 magnitude in the Richter Scale.
VIDEO: People evacuate bldgs. in Antofagasta, Chile, after powerful earthquake: http://t.co/ymDrkIJRhg pic.twitter.com/DlZSNjpvEo
— Micah Grimes (@MicahGrimes) April 2, 2014
Landslides caused by #Chile quake blocking roads pic.twitter.com/CuK6PtKWD5
— News This Second (@NewsThisSecond) April 2, 2014
The tsunami warning is in effect for the Chile, Peru, and Ecuador coastal region. A tsunami watch was issued for Colombia, Panama, and Costa Rica, according to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center.
The US National Tsunami Warning Center was working to determine if Hawaii, Alaska, Washington, Oregon, and California, as well as British Columbia in Canada were in danger from a tsunami generated by the earthquake in Chile.
“Sea level readings indicate a tsunami was generated. It may have been destructive along coasts near the epicenter and could also be a threat to more distant coasts.”
Tweets about “chile earthquake”
This is the second major earthquake that has affected Chile recently. In 2010, an 8.8 magnitude earthquake devastated the central region of the country.
[Image via 100%Katolikongpinoy.com/Twitter]
