Thaindian News

SANTIAGO, CHILE (BNO NEWS) — An extremely powerful earthquake struck near Concepcion, Chile on early Saturday, seismologists said, unleashing a tsunami that triggered tsunami warnings in dozens of countries throughout the Pacific. Hundreds of people are feared to have been killed, as authorities report major damage.

The earthquake, which had a magnitude of 8.8, was centered about 60 miles north-northwest of Chillan and 200 miles southwest of Santiago, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. It struck at a depth of 21.7 miles at 03.34 a.m. local time.

A tsunami warning was immediately issued for the entire Pacific Ocean, even as far away as Japan, according to the Hawaii-based Pacific Tsunami Warning Center. A tsunami advisory was issued for the U.S. Pacific Coast, according to the West Coast/Alaska Tsunami Warning Center. More details on the tsunami threat can be found below.

The Chilean capital of Santiago was without power and phone lines four hours after the earthquake. Reports say multiple buildings have collapsed in Greater Santiago. Santiago’s International Airport was closed and many flights were diverted to Mendoza in Argentina.

Chilean President-elect Sebastián Piñera confirmed at least 122 people had been killed, while scores of others were left injured.

The International Red Cross called the earthquake an “international emergency” and said Chilean leaders are meeting to discuss the need of international assistance. The organization said no international appeal was made as of 10 a.m. EST (1500 GMT).

As of 10.30 a.m. EST (15.30 GMT), the following regions were under a tsunami warning:

Chile, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Antarctica, Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Pitcairn, Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala, Fr. Plynesia, Mexico, Cook Islands, Kiribati, Kermadec Islands, Niue, New Zealand, Tonga, American Samoa, Samoa, Jarvis Islands, Wallis-Futuna, Tokelau, Fiji, Australia, Hawaii, Palmyra Islands, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Howland-Baker, New Caledonia, Johnston Islands, Solomon Islands, Nauru, Marshall Islands, Midway Islands, Kosrae, Papua New Guinea, Pohnpei, Wake Islands, Chuuk, Russia, Marcus Islands, Indonesia, N. Marianas, Guam, Yap, Belau, Japan, Philippines, Chinese Taipei.

If you are in one of those countries and are near the coast, you are advised to evacuate immediately and go to higher ground.

“Sea level readings confirm that a tsunami has been generated which could cause widespread damage,” the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said. A spokeswoman for the agency, Delores Clark, said the highest tsunami recorded as of 9.40 a.m. EST (1442GMT), was 2.34 meter (7.7 feet) in Chile. Media reports earlier pointed to a much larger tsunami, with reports saying up to 40 meters, but Clark said that was unlikely. “We have not recorded any monster tsunami or anything like that,” she said.

The massive earthquake was also followed by a series of aftershocks, which may continue for weeks or even months. The strongest aftershock was a magnitude 6.9 earthquake, which struck 130 miles of Concepcion around 3.01 a.m. local time.

Other aftershocks had magnitudes of 6.2, 6.0, 5.4, 5.6, 6.0, 5.4, 5.2, 5.5, 6.1, 5.6, 5.0, 5.3, 5.6, 5.1, 5.8, 5.9, 5.9, 5.4, 5.3, 5.5, 5.2 and 5.2.

The 2010 Chile earthquake is the second largest quake in the past 20 years, behind the 2004 Indian Ocean 9.1-magnitude quake.