Chilean earthquakes: in pictures

Thursday, March 18, 2010 

On February 27, Chile was hit by an magnitude 8.8 earthquake; almost 500 were killed, with resulting tsunami destroying most coastal towns between Llolleo and Araucanía Region. A second earthquake last week, with its epicentre in Pichilemu, caused destruction in the Coquimbo and Bío Bío regions.

A Wikinews contributor is in the area, and we look at the extent of this natural disaster's damage through his photographs.

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People camping in La Cruz Hill, Pichilemu. They even constructed little houses, to make their stay more comfortable.
Image: Diego Grez.

People camping in La Cruz Hill, Pichilemu. They even constructed little houses, to make their stay more comfortable.
Image: Diego Grez.

Church of Santa Cruz, after the February earthquake.
Image: Diego Grez.

Church of Santa Cruz, after the February earthquake.
Image: Diego Grez.

The Arturo Prat square before and after the earthquake and tsunami in Pichilemu.
Image: Diego Grez.

The Arturo Prat square before and after the earthquake and tsunami in Pichilemu.
Image: Diego Grez.

Boat after the tsunami in Pichilemu.
Image: Diego Grez.

Boat after tsunami in Pichilemu.
Image: Diego Grez.

Military representatives in La Cruz Hill, Pichilemu after the March earthquake.
Image: Diego Grez.

Military representatives in La Cruz Hill, Pichilemu, after the March earthquake.
Image: Diego Grez.

On-scene soldiers on a truck, in Lolol, after the March earthquake.
Image: Diego Grez.

On-scene soldiers on a truck, in Lolol, after the March earthquake.
Image: Diego Grez.

Destroyed balustrades and the ceiling of a kiosk over another balustrade, near Pichilemu beach.
Image: Diego Grez.

Destroyed balaustrades and the ceiling of a kiosk over another balaustrades, near the beach of Pichilemu.
Image: Diego Grez.

Lolol church after the March earthquake.
Image: Diego Grez.

Lolol church after the March earthquake.
Image: Diego Grez.

Many houses in Lolol were declared Historic Monuments of Chile. This is one of many that are going to be demolished.
Image: Diego Grez.

Many houses in Lolol were declared Historic Monuments of Chile. This is one of many that are going to be demolished.
Image: Diego Grez.

Destroyed building Mirador by the tsunami in Pichilemu, and also by a kiosk/container.
Image: Diego Grez.

Destroyed building Mirador by the tsunami in Pichilemu, and also by a kiosk/container.
Image: Diego Grez.

Cars driving to La Cruz Hill in Pichilemu, a few hours after the disaster.
Image: Diego Grez.

Cars driving to La Cruz Hill in Pichilemu, a few hours after the disaster.
Image: Diego Grez.

Chilean singer Joe Vasconcellos did a free solo tour in Chile after the Pichilemu and Maule earthquakes. Pictured is his performance in La Cruz Hill, Pichilemu.
Image: Diego Grez.

Chilean singer Joe Vasconcellos did a free solo tour in Chile after the Pichilemu and Maule earthquakes. Pictured during his performance in La Cruz Hill, Pichilemu.
Image: Diego Grez.

House in front of the Main Beach of Pichilemu after the tsunami and earthquake combo.
Image: Diego Grez.

House in front of the Main Beach of Pichilemu after the tsunami and earthquake combo.
Image: Diego Grez.

Bucalemu was severely impacted by the February tsunami and earthquake; this picture taken after the March temblor.
Image: Diego Grez.

Bucalemu was severely impacted by the February tsunami and earthquake; this picture taken after the March temblor.
Image: Diego Grez.

Many houses were destroyed after the earthquake in Lolol because they were old and made with rustic materials.
Image: Diego Grez.

Many houses were destroyed after the earthquake in Lolol, because they were old and made with rustic materials.
Image: Diego Grez.

Another destroyed house, a few meters behind the Lolol church.
Image: Diego Grez.

Another destroyed house, a few meters behind the Lolol church.
Image: Diego Grez.

Pichilemu highway, the day of the earthquake and tsunami.
Image: Diego Grez.

Pichilemu highway, the day of the earthquake and tsunami.
Image: Diego Grez.

Most of the balustrades around Ross Park in Pichilemu were destroyed after the 2010 Pichilemu earthquake.
Image: Diego Grez.

Most of the balustrades aroundRoss Park, in Pichilemu, were destroyed after the 2010 Pichilemu earthquake.
Image: Diego Grez.

Destroyed kiosks after the tsunami in Pichilemu.
Image: Diego Grez.

Destroyed kiosks after the tsunami in Pichilemu.
Image: Diego Grez.

Just one kiosk and some bathrooms in front of the Arturo Prat Square survived the tsunami in Pichilemu.
Image: Diego Grez.

Just one kiosk and some bathrooms in front of the Arturo Prat Square survived the tsunami in Pichilemu.
Image: Diego Grez.

The Cahuil Bridge was severely damaged after both quakes. It is broken in half and is a serious danger to motorists.
Image: Diego Grez.

The Cahuil Bridge was severely damaged after both quakes. It is broken in half and is a serious danger to motorists.
Image: Diego Grez.

Several houses were destroyed in the town of Bucalemu, almost 40 kilometers from Pichilemu. In this picture, a house located in front of the beach was later thrown in the half of the roadway.
Image: Diego Grez.

Several houses were destroyed in the town of Bucalemu, almost 40 kilometers from Pichilemu. In this picture, a house located in front of the beach was later thrown in the half of the roadway.
Image: Diego Grez.

Cobquecura, epicentre of the February earthquake.

Cobquecura, the epicentre of the February quake.

The building Alto Río, in Concepción, collapsed after the February earthquake.
Image: Claudio Núñez.

The building Alto Río, in Concepción, collapsed after the February earthquake.
Image: Claudio Núñez.

A severely damaged building in Maipú.
Image: Jorge Barrios.

A severely damaged building in Maipú.
Image: Jorge Barrios.

Collapsed Vespucio Norte Express Highway in Santiago, after the February earthquake.

Collapsed Vespucio Norte Express Highway in Santiago, after the February earthquake.

The damaged Museum of Contemporary Art, after the February earthquake.

The damaged Museum of Contemporary Art, after the February earthquake.

Aftermath of the February earthquake and tsunami in San Antonio.
Image: Atilio Leandro.

Aftermath of the February earthquake and tsunami in San Antonio.
Image: Atilio Leandro.

Damaged Autopista del Maipo, near the city of Chada.
Image: Lufke.

Damaged Autopista del Maipo, near the city of Chada.
Image: Lufke.

People trying to buy gasoline, in Chillán.
Image: JOjo Jose Tomas.

People trying to buy gasoline, in Chillán.
Image: JOjo Jose Tomas.

Fire in the University of Concepción, after the February earthquake.

Fire in the University of Concepción, after the February earthquake.

Destroyed houses in the Maule Region.
Image: Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile.

Destroyed houses in the Maule Region.
Image: Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile.

Fire in a plastics factory, in Ruta 5 Norte.

Fire in a plastics factory, in Ruta 5 Norte.

Chillán's Medialuna, after the February earthquake.

Chillán's Medialuna after the February earthquake.

House in Pelluhue after the February temblor.
Image: Caritas Linares.

House in Pelluhue after the February temblor.
Image: Caritas Linares.

US President Barack Obama holds a conference call from the Situation Room of the White House concerning the February earthquake.

US President Barack Obama holds a conference call from the White House Situation Room.

President Sebastián Piñera visits ONEMI after the February quake.
Image: Sebastián Piñera E..

President Sebastián Piñera visits ONEMI after the February quake.
Image: Sebastián Piñera E..

Zones affected by the February earthquake.
Image: B1mbo.

Zones affected by the February earthquake.
Image: B1mbo.

Map of Chile showing the epicenter of the February quake.

Map of Chile showing the epicenter of the February quake.

USGS shake map of the February earthquake.

USGS shake map of the February earthquake.

USGS shake map of the March earthquake.

USGS intensity map of the March earthquake.

USGS intensity map for the most strong aftershock of the temblor.
Image: USGS.

USGS intensity map for the most strong aftershock of the temblor.
Image: USGS.

An animation showing the movement of tsunami waves caused by the temblor. (view large version)
Image: NOAA Center for Tsunami Research.

Related news

• "8.8 magnitude earthquake hits Chile; tsunami warnings issued throughout Pacific rim" — Wikinews, February 27, 2010
• "Magnitude 6.9 earthquake hits Chile as president is sworn in" — Wikinews, March 11, 2010
• "Earthquake, tsunami combo caused devastation in Pichilemu, Chile" — Wikinews, March 5, 2010