As many news outlets and blogs are reporting, Chile was hit by a massive 8.8 magnitude earthquake early today. My heart goes out to all those impacted by the earthquake and I send my best wishes and prayers to my readers in Chile and all those suffering from the devastation in Chile and facing the tsunami threat around the Pacific, including all my readers in eastern Australia. I have never experienced an earthquake - only numerous hurricanes - and cannot imagine how terrifying it must be when suddenly the ground begins to shake and buildings begin to sway and collapse. In addition to the extensive damage in Chile, a tsunami alert has been posted for the entire Pacific region, including the Hawaiian Islands. Here are some highlights from the BBC:*
The 8.8 quake caused widespread damage, destroying buildings, bridges and roads in many areas, including the capital where a chemical plant caught fire. Electricity, water and phone lines have been cut. Hundreds of thousands of people are believed to be affected. Several Pacific countries were hit by waves higher than usual after a tsunami was set off by the quake. In French Polynesia waves 6ft (1.8m) high swept ashore, but there were no immediate reports of damage.
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Television pictures showed a major bridge at Concepcion had collapsed into the Biobio river. Rescue teams are finding it difficult to reach Concepcion because of damage to infrastructure, national television reported.
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Damage to Santiago international airport's terminal will keep it closed for at least 72 hours, officials said. Flights are being diverted to Mendoza in Argentina. President Michelle Bachelet declared a "state of catastrophe" in affected areas and appealed for calm. She said: "We're doing everything we can with all the forces we have." Ms Bachelet said a "wave of large proportion" had affected the Juan Fernandez island group, reaching halfway into one inhabited area. Local media say that five people died there and several others are missing.
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Chile is highly vulnerable to earthquakes as it is situated on the Pacific "Rim of Fire", on the edge of the Pacific and South American plates. Chile suffered the biggest earthquake of the 20th century when a 9.5 magnitude quake struck the city of Valdivia in 1960, killing 1,655 people.
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Television pictures showed a major bridge at Concepcion had collapsed into the Biobio river. Rescue teams are finding it difficult to reach Concepcion because of damage to infrastructure, national television reported.
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Damage to Santiago international airport's terminal will keep it closed for at least 72 hours, officials said. Flights are being diverted to Mendoza in Argentina. President Michelle Bachelet declared a "state of catastrophe" in affected areas and appealed for calm. She said: "We're doing everything we can with all the forces we have." Ms Bachelet said a "wave of large proportion" had affected the Juan Fernandez island group, reaching halfway into one inhabited area. Local media say that five people died there and several others are missing.
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Chile is highly vulnerable to earthquakes as it is situated on the Pacific "Rim of Fire", on the edge of the Pacific and South American plates. Chile suffered the biggest earthquake of the 20th century when a 9.5 magnitude quake struck the city of Valdivia in 1960, killing 1,655 people.
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As CNN is reporting, Hawaii is bracing for possible tsunami impact. Here are some highlights on events in Hawaii:
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The first waves of a tsunami from a massive earthquake in Chile have hit the Big Island of Hawaii, according to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center. The increasing wave heights began shortly around 11:15 a.m. local time (4:15 p.m. EST), more than five hours after alarms sounded to warn of a tsunami caused by the Chile earthquake early Saturday, which killed at least 214 people. Residents scrambled to stock up on water and food Saturday as sirens blared across the islands ahead of a predicted tsunami, hours after an 8.8-magnitude earthquake struck Chile.
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The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued a tsunami warning, the highest level of a tsunami alert, for the entire Pacific region, including countries as far away as Russia, Japan and Australia. California and Alaska are under a tsunami advisory. Speaking Saturday afternoon in Washington, President Obama urged people in Hawaii, Guam and American Samoa, also under a tsunami warning, to prepare for the potential tsunami.
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The first waves of a tsunami from a massive earthquake in Chile have hit the Big Island of Hawaii, according to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center. The increasing wave heights began shortly around 11:15 a.m. local time (4:15 p.m. EST), more than five hours after alarms sounded to warn of a tsunami caused by the Chile earthquake early Saturday, which killed at least 214 people. Residents scrambled to stock up on water and food Saturday as sirens blared across the islands ahead of a predicted tsunami, hours after an 8.8-magnitude earthquake struck Chile.
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The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued a tsunami warning, the highest level of a tsunami alert, for the entire Pacific region, including countries as far away as Russia, Japan and Australia. California and Alaska are under a tsunami advisory. Speaking Saturday afternoon in Washington, President Obama urged people in Hawaii, Guam and American Samoa, also under a tsunami warning, to prepare for the potential tsunami.
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