8.8 magnitude earthquake hits Chile; tsunami warnings issued throughout Pacific rim

Saturday, February 27, 2010  

An 8.8 magnitude earthquake was recorded in Chile on Saturday, killing at least 214 people and causing significant structural damage. The earthquake was felt in Chillan, Talca, Concepcion, and the capital Santiago. Sea level recording triggered tsunami warnings for Chile, Peru, and Ecuador. The earthquake, which started at 06.34.14 UTC, was felt as far as Argentina.

This earthquake occurred at the boundary between the Nazca and South American tectonic plates. The two plates are converging at a rate of 80 millimeters per year.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center has announced that a tsunami warning is in effect for much of the Pacific Rim, including parts of Oceania and Central America.

According to the BBC, "large waves" have struck Chile's Juan Fernández Islands, reaching halfway into one inhabited area. Three people are missing local media says. Reuters reported the Tsunami hit Tahiti at 16.50 UTC, where the BBC reports that the first waves were "smaller," measuring only 36 centimeters.

According to the AFP, part of the Marquesas Islands in French Polynesia was hit by a 13 foot wave. No casualties have been reported.

The New Zealand Herald reported New Zealand evacuated coastal areas at 8:00 AM local time (18.00 UTC). Waves of 20 centimeters or less were reported at the Chatham Islands (400 miles from the New Zealand mainland) at 19.05 UTC. The Ministry of Civil Defense told the BBC that "the greatest wave heights will occur between six and 12 hours after the initial arrivals."

Coastal waters in Hilo, Hawaii were reported as "visibly receding" at 11:30 AM local time (21.30 UTC) by Hawaii News Now. According to MSNBC, a 5 1/2 foot wave reportedly made land fall on Hilo Bay, Hawaii a short while after 12:00 P.M. local time (22.00 UTC).

Map of earthquake with star locating epicenter.
Image: USGS.

Map of earthquake with star locating epicenter.
Image: USGS.

The plates involved are the Nazca and South American plates
Image: USGS.

The plates involved are the Nazca and South American plates
Image: USGS.

Map of Chile from CIA World Factbook with the epicenter of 2010 Chile earthquake marked.
Image: CIA World Factbook.

Map of Chile from CIA World Factbook with the epicenter of 2010 Chile earthquake marked.
Image: CIA World Factbook.

Preliminary forecast model energy map of the 2010 Chile earthquake tsunami.
Image: NOAA.

Preliminary forecast model energy map of the 2010 Chile earthquake tsunami.
Image: NOAA.

Map of Chile with the epicentrer location of the earthquake
Image: USGS.

Map of Chile with the epicentrer location of the earthquake
Image: USGS.

Travel time projection of the 2010 Chile earthquake tsunami.
Image: NOAA.

Travel time projection of the 2010 Chile earthquake tsunami.
Image: NOAA.

Sources

• Magnitude 8.8 - OFFSHORE MAULE, CHILE — USGS, February 27, 2010
• Huge earthquake hits Chile, 17 reported dead — Reuters, February 27, 2010
• Colin Freeman. Massive earthquake hits Chile — Telegraph, February 27, 2010
• Australia on tsunami watch following Chile quake — The Washington Post, February 27, 2010
• Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issues Tsunami warning — Press Release, February 27, 2010
• Doina Chiacu. Tsunami threatens Hawaiian islands: U.S. agency — Reuters, February 27, 2010
• Death toll in Chile earthquake rises to 122 — RTÉ News, February 27, 2010
• Alison Chung. Tsunami Warnings After Deadly Chile Quake — Sky News, February 27, 2010
• Tsunami spreads through Pacific — BBC News, February 27, 2010
• ONE news. Tsunami wave makes landfall on [New Zealand mainland] — TVNZ, 8:14AM Sunday February 28, 2010 NZDT
• Edward Gay and Derek Cheng. Evacuation warnings as tsunami wave hits Chatham Islands — New Zealand Herald, Sunday Feb 28, 2010 9:12 AM NZDT
• Tsunami waves hitting Hilo — Hawaii News Now, Feb 27, 2010 5:18 PM EST
• Massive quake hits Chile, triggers tsunami — MSNBC, February 27, 2010