Wow. I was just about to post here when the news of a new massive 8.8 magnitude earthquake in south central Chile 200 miles south of Santiago flashed across the screen.....!!!!!!!
Chile of course is one of the most susceptible places on Earth to this sort of thing. During my various sojourns through that most beautiful country, I experienced various temblors ranging from mild to moderately scary, including one quick and frightening one which I had the "pleasure" to ride through while relaxing in my second story hotel room in the Chilean city of Valdivia on Christmas eve 2005. Valdivia, by the way, was the most unfortunate of all cities in the world back on May 22, 1960 when it was ravaged by an incredible 9.5 magnitude earthquake, which destroyed much of that city's remarkable historic buildings and actually managed to re-orient the lay of the land - dropping the land level a full three meters, causing the town's waterfront to drop below the level of the estuary and to turn surrounding farmland instantly into wetlands. That terrible earthquake is regarded as being the worst in recorded history, and it sounds as if this new one could be nearly equal to the 1960 Valdivia quake.
This new massive earthquake appears to have its epicenter just 115 km (about 70 miles) from the major Chilean city of Concepción, which is located on the coast about halfway between Valdivia and the capital of Santiago. Preliminary reports I have seen say some buildings in Santiago have collapsed.
I have written to friends who live there expressing my concerns and sending my own good wishes but I know that as the morning arrives they will have more immediate concerns to deal with rather than to respond to me.
Beyond this I would recommend the reader to access their most trusted news source to ascertain the latest regarding this tragedy.
I will of course resume my writing project sometime, but for now I am more concerned with the safety and health of friends who live there, not only in Santiago but who live near the Chilean city of Los Angeles, in the Bio Bio River valley...
These are wonderful people who live in a very special and beautiful place. I pray for them and will ask you all to do so as well.......
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2 comments:
found your blog while trying to find information on the extent of earthquake damage in Chile, specifically to Valparaiso and Isla Negra. I visited Chile in 2007/8 for 1 week on my way to the Falkland Islands. Fell in love with the people and the country and foster a strong desire to return for an exstended period. Have added your blog to my favourites and will follow your adventures with interest.
Regards Lainie, Australia
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