Chile Holds Breath as 6.2 Quake Hits and Passes

A magnitude 6.2 earthquake struck today, just off the coast of south-central Chile, which was the same spot a massive earth’s-axis-altering quake devastated the country two years ago.

The quake today was centered 31 miles northwest of Concepcion, and relatively shallow at 12 miles deep. Chile’s navy announced that it wasn’t the type of earthquake that would cause a deadly tsunami like the magnitude 8.8 devastator that struck in 2010. There were also no immediate reports of damage.

The U.S. Geological Service said that the quake struck at 1:04pm local time with a magnitude of 6.2. Chilean seismologists measured it as a less-powerful 5.8. Chile’s national emergency office said that there were no immediate reports of injuries or structural damage. Cellphone service was interrupted briefly as people tried to connect with friends and loved ones, and radio stations and social networks were quickly filled with commentary, with many saying that the shaking made them panic. Light fixtures rocked and swayed in many homes, but there are no reports of anyone losing power.

Who can blame them? The 8.8 of 2010 was world-rocking. Literally. I, for one, can’t hold some brief panic against them. Luckily, it seems, no one was hurt, and we’re thankful alongside the Chileans for what ultimately adds up to a close call.

Story is breaking, and still developing.

What do you think of today’s Chile earthquake? Close call? Portent of doom?