Enhanced Seismicity Continues Along Peru-Chile Trench

SEISMIC HAZARD
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More aftershocks hit coastal N Chile

Most significant aftershocks to strike near Iquique, Chile in the past 24 hours include

• M5.3 (19.744°S, 70.811°W) about 89km WNW of Iquique, Chile 2014-03-23  at 20:23:03UTC, at a depth of 23.4 km
• M6.0 (19.905°S, 70.934°W) about 87km NW of Iquique, Chile 2014-03-24 at 18:20:03 UTC, at a depth of 34.6 km

At least 9 other aftershocks measuring 4.4Mw or greater struck the area as of 2014-03-24 8:54:41 UTC.

Earthquake Location Map. Source: USGS/EHP

FIRE-EARTH Earthquake Forecast for Chile (March 17, 2014)

FIRE-EARTH Models show a large earthquake could strike along Peru-Chile Trench in the coming weeks.

Tsunami Forecast: Large tsunami waves highly probable.

Forecast Details

• Magnitude: ≥8.2Mw
• Location: 23.6°S, 70.8ºW
• Depth: 30km
• Time: March 17 – April 29, 2014
• Probability of Occurrence: 0.75
• Total Earthquake Energy for the Episode ≥ 0.25EJ

See also

• Significant Seismic Activity Continues Along Peru-Chile Trench March 22, 2014
• FIRE-EARTH Forecast: Large Earthquake Could Strike Peru-Chile Trench March 17, 2014
• Another Significant Aftershock Strikes Coastal Chile March 17, 2014
• Intense Seismicity Along Peru-Chile Trench March 16, 2014

Houston Shipping Routes Remain Closed Due to Oil Spill

MARINE POLLUTION
MAJOR OIL SPILL
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The Houston Ship Channel remained closed on Sunday after a collision between an oil barge and a cargo ship, spilling about 640,000 liters (4,000 barrels) of heavy fuel oil.

The channel allows ships to sail from the Gulf Coast to inland terminals, accounting for up to 15 percent of crude delivery to the U.S. refineries.

Major oil spill  in the Houston Ship Channel March 22, 2014. Source: U.S. Coast Guard handout/via Reuters.

“A local official said the channel was expected to be shut well into Monday. The official asked not to be identified as the information had not yet been made public,” Reuters reported.

By late Sunday, nearly 90 ships were waiting either to depart or to enter the port of Houston and/or Texas City, said the report.

Among the ships affected by the channel closure was the cruise ship Carnival Magic.

Houston Related Links

• Hundreds of Children Hospitalized in Houston due to RSV January 10, 2014
• Global Disasters/ Significant Events – Nov. 22, 2013 November 22, 2013
• Severe Flooding Plagues Parts of Houston April 28, 2013
• Houston: A Nightmare of Lights  March 22, 2010
• Texas is Fracked ! August 19, 2013

Death Toll Climbs in Washington Landslide

DEADLY LANDSLIDE
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4 Dead, 18 missing, 8 injured, dozens of homes destroyed after Washington state landslide

Death toll rose to at least four with 18 people reported missing, and 8 others injured after a large landslide in Washington state buried dozens of homes under mud and debris up to 5m (15 feet) deep, officials said.

The embankments along State Route 530 near Oso, Washington, about 55 miles north of Seattle, collapsed  on Saturday destroying dozens of homes.

“I am disappointed to tell you that after searching a very large area of that debris field on foot, we didn’t find anybody alive. There was no sign of life,” a Snohomish County Fire official told reporters.

A massive landslide near State Route 530, Oso, Washington on March 22, 2014 destroyed dozens of homes, killing at least 4 people and leaving 18 people missing. Photo Source: Washington State Department of Transportation/Handout via Reuters

The massive slide, covering about 2.6km² (1 sq mile), occurred in the rain-sodden foothills of the Cascade Mountains along the Stillaguamish River, leaving a trail of  mud, rock and debris up to 5m deep.

It blocked the North Fork of Stillaguamish River causing the water to pool behind the debris, and prompting the authorities to issue an evacuation notice downstream on Saturday.

Washington Gov. Inslee described the scene as “a square mile of total devastation” after flying over the disaster area.

State authorities have warned the number of missing could grow.