Chile: Two Strong Aftershocks in 8 Hrs

Two strong aftershocks measuring up to magnitude 6.2 and 6.3 strike Bio-Bio and Valparaiso, Chile

The first thing that ought to have come to mind is, thank goodness Chile doesn’t have a nuclear power plant or large scale nuclear waste storage facility. [The country’s two open-pool research reactors (5MWt and 10MWt) are apparently located near Santiago.]

What if megaquakes struck close to a large nuclear power plant, or two?

Earthquake Details

• Magnitude: 6.1 [Max magnitude estimated by Fire-Earth: 6.3 Mw]
• Date-Time:
  • Thursday, March 04, 2010 at 01:59:50 UTC
  • Wednesday, March 03, 2010 at 10:59:50 PM at epicenter
• Location: 33.154°S, 72.064°W
• Depth: 34.4 km (21.4 miles)
• Region: OFFSHORE VALPARAISO, CHILE
• Distances:
  • 45 km (30 miles) WSW of Valparaiso, Chile
  • 135 km (85 miles) WNW of SANTIAGO, Chile
  • 165 km (105 miles) NW of Rancagua, Chile
  • 190 km (115 miles) SSW of Illapel, Chile
• Location Uncertainty: horizontal +/- 24.6 km (15.3 miles); depth +/- 4.3 km (2.7 miles)
• Source: USGS NEIC (WDCS-D)
• Event ID:  us2010tkan

10-degree Map Centered at 35°S,70°W

The two strong aftershocks detailed here are marked in RED on the EQ Location Map. Source: USGS/EHP. Image Edited and Enhanced by FEWW.

Earthquake Details

• Magnitude: 6.0  [Max magnitude estimated by Fire-Earth: 6.2 Mw]
• Date-Time:
  • Wednesday, March 03, 2010 at 17:44:25 UTC
  • Wednesday, March 03, 2010 at 02:44:25 PM at epicenter
• Location: 36.452°S, 73.069°W
• Depth: 19 km (11.8 miles) set by location program
• Region:  OFFSHORE BIO-BIO, CHILE
• Distances:
  • 40 km (25 miles) N of Concepcion, Chile
  • 85 km (55 miles) W of Chillan, Chile
  • 130 km (80 miles) NNW of Los Angeles, Chile
  • 400 km (250 miles) SSW of SANTIAGO, Chile
• Source:  USGS NEIC (WDCS-D)
• Event ID us2010tjbk

Tsunami Status

Pacific Ocean Tsunami Warning Center said there were NO Tsunami Warning, Watch  or Advisory in effect.

Related Links:

• Chile Quake Aftermath: Day 5
• Chile Earthquake Links Page