8.8 Earthquake Hits Chile, Power Outages In Santiago

An 8.8 earthquake has struck near Concepcion, Chile, early on Saturday, the USGS reported, shaking buildings and causing blackouts in parts of the capital of Santiago.

LIVE Streaming via Intellispace

UPDATE: A tsunami warning was issued early on Saturday for Chile and Peru and a tsunami watch was issued for Ecuador, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center reported, after a massive earthquake in Chile.

A Reuters witness reported shaking buildings and loss of electricity in Santiago, which is north of the epicenter.

Developing…

6.5 Earthquake Off Coast of Northern California

A 6.5-magnitude earthquake struck off the Northern coast of California, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

Watch “Live” news stream via our Intellispace Twitterfeed or Listen via Emergency Scanner Feed

The quake hit at 4:27 p.m. and occurred about 15 miles southwest of Eureka.

The quake prompted power outages, and there were some injuries and damage, but no reports of fatalities so far. Local hospitals are creating a triage to treat the most injured victims.

According to Eureka Fire Chief Eric Smith, one home collapsed off its foundation and there were multiple water main breaks. Smith said even though there are many quakes in this area, this one was more traumatic because of the effects.

Power is out in at least one neighborhood in the Eureka area.

The depth was 10.2 miles.

The West Coast and Alaska Tsunami Warning Center said there is no risk of a tsunami.

Developing…

Source

New Maps Show Where Tsunami Floods Would Strike Calif.

When major earthquakes strike along the Aleutian island chain in Alaska, they could trigger tsunamis sweeping down along the California coast and threatening many low-lying regions with disaster, including parts of San Francisco.

The danger has long been known, but Thursday a team of state scientists and emergency management specialists announced they have completed an updated series of 135 “inundation maps” covering shoreline areas in the state’s 30 coastal counties and every harbor and inlet that could be threatened.

The maps reveal in detail just how far large tsunamis might send ocean waters rushing inland to threaten beaches and coastal towns. They also indicate evacuation routes that lead to higher ground. The maps are being released online today by the California Emergency Management Agency.

Read Full Article

Reports of Fireball Meteor and Earthquake in Nebraska

It may turn out to be completely coincidental however that may not ease the nerves tonight of some Nebraska residents.

From Spaceweather.com. At 9 p.m. Central Time on Dec. 16th, a very bright meteor lit up the completely overcast sky like lightning in southeast Nebraska,” reports Trooper Jerry Chab of the Nebraska State Patrol.

“It flashed for approximately 2 seconds and was followed by ground shaking, which prompted many calls by the public to law enforcement in a three county wide area.” The USGS says there was a magnitude 3.5 earthquake near Auburn, Nebraska, at 8:53 pm Wednesday night, about the same time and place as the fireball.

Did you feel , hear or see anything?  Let us know.

SpaceWeather.com

1011New Reports on the earthquake.

Great California ShakeOut Earthquake Drill

Many of the world`s foremost scientists and experts on earthquakes are convening at the annual meeting of the Southern California Earthquake Center (SCEC). They are joined by leaders of the Earthquake Country Alliance (ECA), who are organizing California`s first statewide earthquake drill at 10:15 a.m. on October 15.

ECA and SCEC leaders strongly encourage all California residents and organizations to:

• prepare for earthquakes;
• practice how to protect against earthquake injury (the purpose of the ShakeOut
  on Oct. 15!);
• learn how to recover quickly by safeguarding property and finances in
  advance.

With one month until the 2009 ShakeOut, more than 4.6 million people-in businesses, government offices, neighborhoods, schools, and as individuals-have been registered at www.ShakeOut.org. Last year, 5.4 million people participated in the Great Southern California ShakeOut. The drill is now statewide, and will be an annual opportunity to improve preparedness and practice protective actions.

“We think we can easily surpass last year`s numbers, but only if people, schools, businesses and organizations register on the ShakeOut website,” saidMark Benthien, executive director of the Earthquake Country Alliance and director for communications of SCEC. “Registering allows us to know what people are planning for their drills and how many people are involved. We can also send them updates and preparedness information.”

“September is National Preparedness Month and is a time for individuals and families to prepare for all potential hazards, including earthquakes. In California, Preparedness Month will be followed with an earthquake drill in October to test our readiness-it`s called the Great California ShakeOut,” added Matthew Bettenhausen, California Emergency Management Agency Acting Secretary. So act now to secure contents in your home or office so they won`t fall, organize your emergency supplies, and update your family emergency plan. Then on October 15 practice Drop, Cover and Hold On.”

Drop, Cover and Hold On is the recommended procedure in an earthquake. People should quickly get under a heavy table or desk to avoid being hit by falling objects-or get on the ground next to an interior wall and cover your head and neck with your arms. People can learn what to do, no matter where they are when the earthquake strikes, at www.dropcoverholdon.org. Regional information, such as details about earthquake hazards, lists of who is participating, and much more can be accessed using a clickable California map on www.ShakeOut.org.

All areas of California have experienced earthquakes in the past and there are hundreds of faults throughout the state that can have large earthquakes. A 2008 report (www.scec.org/ucerf) estimates that there is a 50% chance of a magnitude 7.5 or greater earthquake somewhere in California anytime in the next 30 years. While some areas are less likely than others to have such earthquakes, residents in those areas may visit more active areas. So everyone should know what to do during strong shaking.

This is a good time, as well, for people to review their financial preparation. Everyone should have cash on hand and copies of account numbers and insurance policies handy. A general homeowners or renters policy does not cover earthquake damage. People should call their own insurance agent, or go to the California Earthquake Authority Web site (www.earthquakeauthority.com), to view a list of participating insurance companies who sell earthquake insurance.

Visit Great California ShakeOut Website

Baja Mexico Earthquakes Felt In Downtown San Diego

A 6.9 magnitude quake struck 358 miles southeast of Tijuana on Monday, just minutes after the same area was shaken by a 5.8 magnitude tremblor, according to the United States Geological Survey. People felt shaking in downtown San Diego, according to reports made to 10News.

Scientists said there’s no tsunami threat to the West Coast and Hawaii following the two earthquakes that struck minutes apart in Mexico’s Gulf of California.

The U.S. Geological Survey said the first temblor with a preliminary magnitude of 5.8 hit the Gulf of California at 10:55 a.m. PDT Monday. It was followed about five minutes later by a magnitude-6.9.

Source

4.4 Earthquake Bay Area – Follow Live Reports On Twitter

A 4.4 magnitude earthquake that originated 11 miles outside of the South Bay town of Morgan Hill rattled the Bay Area at 10:40 a.m. today.

The earthquake’s epicenter was about 16 miles east southeast of the San Jose City Hall, according to Paul Caruso, a geophysicist with the United State Geological Survey.

The depth of the earthquake was 3.8 miles under the surface, said Caruso, who did not know what underground fault line caused the temblor.

Follow The Quake Reports On Twitter

Iranian Nuke Scientist: Weekend Quake was a Nuclear Test

A weekend 5.0 Richter earthquake in Iran was actually a nuclear bomb test, says an Iranian nuclear scientist claiming to be working on the project.

This past Saturday night, southern Iran experienced what was reported as a significant earthquake – a seismic event measuring 5.0 on the Richter scale. Its epicenter was just north of the strategic Straits of Hormuz, which separates Iran from Abu Dhabi and Oman and which is the gateway to the Persian Gulf. Read more