8.3 Earthquake Off the Coast of Chile

[Friends just call me Ross]

Powerful earthquakes off Chile’s coast

According to CNN, at least five people were killed and 1 million evacuated from affected areas, after the powerful 8.3-magnitude earthquake. Following the earthquake, the tsunami waves struck, causing flooding.

 

Details of the 8.3-magnitude quake from USGS :

Time

2015-09-16 22:54:32 (UTC)

Nearby Cities

54km (34mi) W of Illapel, Chile

76km (47mi) WNW of Salamanca, Chile

109km (68mi) NNW of La Ligua, Chile

118km (73mi) SSW of Ovalle, Chile

233km (145mi) NNW of Santiago, Chile

The 8.3-magnitude quake was followed by many strong aftershocks along Chile’s coast (see chart below). Although the September 16 quake, was particularly strong, earthquakes are common and expected along the coast of Chile. USGS explained:

The September 16, 2015 M 8.3 earthquake west of Illapel, Chile, occurred as the result of thrust faulting on the interface between the Nazca and South America plates in central Chile. At the latitude of this event, the Nazca plate is moving towards the east-northeast at a velocity of 74 mm/yr with respect to South America, and begins its subduction beneath the continent at the Peru-Chile Trench, 85 km to the west of the September 16 earthquake. The size, location, depth and mechanism of this event are all consistent with its occurrence on the megathrust interface in this region.

A series of strong earthquakes off the coast of Chile began on the evening of September 16 and continued into the morning of September 17. Chart via USGS.

 

 

[SUNRAY]

Thanks Ross for the article..very informative..I hope the friends are OK and our facilities also not damaged very much..