Tuesday, April 01, 2014

Massive 8.0 Earthquake Strikes Off Coast of Chile

By Douglas V. Gibbs

Earthquakes seem to be in season.  Tremblers are a constant occurrence around the Pacific Ring of Fire, but every once in a while, a few swarms of quakes arrives.  Los Angeles has been hit a couple times by medium earthquakes with over a hundred aftershocks.  Recently, a 5.1 magnitude earthquake hit off the coast of North Korea (some have suggested it may be connected to nuclear weapons testing by Kim Jong-un).  Now, it is Chile's turn.

At 5:00 pm Chile was shaken by a large, 8,0 magnitude earthquake, sparking a tsunami warning for the area.  The earthquake was centered in the Pacific Ocean, 49 miles west-northwest of Iquique, Chile, and was 6.21 miles deep.   Evacuation orders have been issued for all cities along a low coast in the region.

A swarm of quakes have been rattling the area over the past few weeks, with the largest one, prior to today, being a 6.7 magnitude earthquake on March 16 prompting the evacuation of over 100,000 people.

-- Political Pistachio Conservative News and Commentary

M8.0, 99 km NW of Iquique, Chile 2014-04-01 - USGS

8.0 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Off Chile, Tsunami Strikes Coast - ABC News

North Korea earthquake prompts fears of new nuclear test by Kim Jong-un - The Independent (U.K.)

Earthquake fears grip Los Angeles - Political Pistachio

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