Magnitude 6.7 earthquake near Hacienda La Calera, Chile early Tuesday: 2 deaths from heart attacks

[Emily]

http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/news/2012/04/17/chile-earthquake/

Earthquake Shakes Chile, at Least 2 Dead

Published April 17, 2012
A magnitude-6.7 earthquake shook eight regions of Chile early Tuesday, causing two people to die of heart attacks, the authorities said....

Read more: http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/news/2012/04/17/chile-earthquake/#ixzz1sLTWCnUm

USGS Summary

M6.7 - Hacienda La Calera, Chile 2012-04-17 03:50:16 UTC

PAGER - YELLOW ShakeMap - VII DYFI? - VII


Event Time

1. 2012-04-17 03:50:16 UTC
2. 2012-04-17 00:50:16 UTC-03:00 <abbr title="Time where earthquake occured">at epicenter</abbr>
3. 2012-04-16 20:50:16 UTC-07:00 <abbr title="Timezone your computer is configured to use">system time</abbr>

Nearby Cities

1. 26km (16mi) WNW from Hacienda La Calera, Chile
2. 28km (17mi) NW from Quillota, Chile
3. 36km (22mi) N from Vina del Mar, Chile
4. 36km (22mi) SW from La Ligua, Chile
5. 114km (70mi) NW from Santiago, Chile

Tectonic Summary

Seismotectonics of South America (Nazca Plate Region)

The South American arc extends over 7,000 km, from the Chilean margin triple junction offshore of southern Chile to its intersection with the Panama fracture zone, offshore of the southern coast of Panama in Central America. It marks the plate boundary between the subducting Nazca plate and the South America plate, where the oceanic crust and lithosphere of the Nazca plate begin their descent into the mantle beneath South America. The convergence associated with this subduction process is responsible for the uplift of the Andes Mountains, and for the active volcanic chain present along much of this deformation front. Relative to a fixed South America plate, the Nazca plate moves slightly north of eastwards at a rate varying from approximately 80 mm/yr in the south to approximately 70 mm/yr in the north.
Subduction zones such as the South America arc are geologically complex and generate numerous earthquakes from a variety of tectonic processes that cause deformation of the western edge of South America. Crustal deformation and subsequent mountain building in the overriding South America plate generate shallow earthquakes. Slip along the dipping interface between the two plates generates frequent and often large interplate earthquakes between depths of approximately 10 to 60 km. Since 1900, numerous magnitude 8 or greater earthquakes have occurred on the interface between the Nazca and South America plates, including the 1960 M9.5 earthquake in southern Chile, the largest instrumentally recorded earthquake in the world and the 2010 M8.8 earthquake north of the 1960 quake. Earthquakes can also be generated to depths greater than 600 km from internal deformation of the subducting Nazca plate. Although the rate of subduction varies little along the entire subduction zone, there are complex changes in geologic processes along the subduction zone that dramatically influence volcanic activity, earthquake generation and occurrence. For example, an extended zone of crustal seismicity in central-northern Argentina highlights a well-known "flat-slab" region of this subduction zone, where the Nazca plate moves horizontally for several hundred kilometers before continuing its descent into the mantle.

 

[Tonka]

Re: Magnitude 6.7 earthquake near Hacienda La Calera, Chile early Tuesday: 2 deaths from heart attacks

http://www.elpais.com.co/elpais/int...-minuto-duracion-sacudio-chile-esta-madrugada
Spanish-English translation

Tremor of one-minute hit Chile this morning
The quake was recorded at the center and south. The magnitude was 6.7 degrees.

By: Elpais.com.co | PA Tuesday, April 17, 2012 - 7:20 amTopics:International
Chile Authorities ruled Chile tsunami after quake of 6.8 degrees
A strong and prolonged shaking of one minute almost woke the north-central Chile and south, with a magnitude of 6.7 according to the U.S. Geological Survey, USGS, which initially led the authorities to enact a precautionary evacuation in a coastline of 800 kilometers above the Pacific Ocean.

Raul Celis, Mayor of Valparaiso region, next to Santiago, said a 72 year old man died of a heart attack during the earthquake. There are no reports of major damage or injuries.

A second man died in the quake, but are investigating whether his death was related to the tremor.

The evacuation of coastal areas to higher areas governed by more than two hours on a stretch of 780 kilometers, although the Hydrological and Oceanographic Service of the Navy ruled out the possibility of a tsunami. When it was found that there was no change in the tide, quietly began the return of thousands of people to their homes, according to the Secretary of the Interior, Rodrigo Ubilla.

Strong earthquake felt missing five minutes to one o'clock and was characterized by a strong aftershock with subterranean noises.

The Secretary of the Interior, Rodrigo Ubilla said the precautionary evacuation will continue until a "field study" check for variations in the sea.

The epicenter was 42 kilometers northwest of the neighboring port of Valparaiso, to 25.9 miles deep, according to the USGS, and was in five of the 15 regions in Chile. Initially, the USGS said the magnitude was 6.5, but later corrected upwards.

In Santiago, hundreds of people fled their homes and buildings, and some bungalows objects fall to the ground and many TVs on the walls ranged dangerously.

In several sectors of this city of seven million people was interrupted electrical service.

The National Emergency Office of Ministry of Interior, Onemi reported outages and phones, but still is monitoring the situation and so far no reports of damage or injuries.

Chile is a country characterized by tremors, even daily but imperceptible, and by earthquakes, the latest came on February 27, 2010, magnitude 8.8, followed by a tsunami that killed 524 people. The earthquake early Tuesday has no relationship nor aftershock 2010.

On March 21 South Central was shaken by an earthquake of magnitude 7.1.

On the road leading from Santiago to the ski resort of Farellones were reports of several boulders in the road, while in the neighboring port of Valparaiso said would have evolved cornices of some of the old port buildings.

Telephone networks continue to operate intermittently.

In the central Plaza Italia Santiago showed some tourists in pajamas, with faces of panic. For social networks have been reported several aftershocks with magnitudes of 4.6 and 4.0.

The Minister of Public Works, Laurence Golborne, reported no damage to highways or airports.