We need your help now
Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.
You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.
If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.
Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
By continuing, you are indicating that you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
A POWERFUL OFFSHORE earthquake measuring 7.6 rocked northern Chile late last night, sparking a new tsunami warning and sending thousands of people fleeing for higher ground a day after a deadly tremor killed six people.
Chilean President Michelle Bachelet, who was assessing damage from Tuesday’s 8.2 jolt, was among those forced to evacuate as the latest quake sowed terror among exhausted and nervous residents.
“People are running around terrified,” a resident of the northern city of Iquique told Canal 13 in a telephone interview.
“It is still moving, it is terrible.”
There were no immediate reports of fatalities or major damage from the new quake and authorities lifted the tsunami alert two hours later.
Bachelet, surveying damage from Tuesday’s quake in the city of Arica, was evacuated to higher ground.
“People seem calm but you can tell they are prepared and are carrying bags,” she said.
Bachelet had declared some areas of northern Chile disaster areas and met Wednesday with emergency relief officials to evaluate the situation.
Sirens rang as the tsunami warning was issued and thousands of people who had just endured the latest quake were again ordered to evacuate inland from coastal areas.
Peru to the north also declared another tsunami warning, according to its Navy, but later rescinded it.
The new temblor struck in the Pacific ocean at 23.43 (0.143 GMT Thursday), 20 km (14 miles) south of the city of Iquique, the navy’s alert service said.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
The two 8.8 quakes in chile in 2010 are taught to be aftershocks from the largest quake ever recorded in 1960 the 9.5 tremblor.
The frequency of great earthquakes 8.0 up in the last decade is the same as the previous century!
Something is definitely changing in tectonic activity.No question about it.
Unfortunately another 9.0+ quake will hit the likes of Chile, Japan or Indonesia due to their fault lines.
To live with that info everyday… Second night in a row the people of the north of Chile had to evacuate because of a tsunami alarm and then continue with their lifes the next morning. That is about 900.000 people along the coast. And they had aftershocks over n over again. My heart goes out to all of them. I admire the organization n everybody remarcable behaviour.
have your say