Just as news of the Chile quake centered in Concepcion Chile reached the United States, a tsunami warning was issued for the entire Pacific Ocean rim including Hawaii. In fact a tidal wave has already hit the coast of Chili that measured 8 feet high after the earthquake.

Conception Chile Quake


The quake resulted in massive destruction in the coastal city of Conception. Details of the earthquake damage are still coming in so we will have a video report when it is available (see below).

Equally near the epicenter are the smaller towns of Chilan and Talca, Chili. Early reports of fatalities are up to 64 people killed but the eventual toll will reach into the thousands. Rescue crews are unable to reach the local areas because bridges are down, and telephone access is unavailable to Concepcion or the other towns.

Within four hours there were already 14 aftershocks measuring 5.0 or larger including a peak of 6.5. Aftershocks in Chili are expected for weeks.

The Pacific Tsunami warning applies to all of the following countries:

Chile
Peru
Ecuador
Panama
Costa Rica
El Salvador
Guatemala
Mexico
Hawaii, USA
Japan
Indonesia
New Zealand
Australia
Antarctica
Samoa
Marshall Islands
Solomon Islands
Tonga
and all the Pacific Islands

Conception, Chile is located 200 kilometers (about 120 miles) south of Santiago, the capitol city. It is a large coastal city which has a population of 1 million people including the surrounding villages. The worst earthquake destruction will undoubtedly be in the central city, which is a historic old town of mostly brick buildings.

The Chile quake struck at 3.30am local time. It is a holiday weekend in the country so it is expected there were still party revelers outdoors and in the bars. The season is summer in the southern hemisphere.


Concepcion Chile Earthquake (Video)