Significant Quakes, Aftershocks Hit Chile, Ecuador, Japan, Vanuatu

Powerful earthquake, aftershocks devastate coastal areas of Ecuador

A M7.8 quake and its aftershocks have devastated multiple towns and communities in Ecuador. The death toll from the earthquake and aftershocks has now reached about 370, and could rise further.

Additionally, more than 2,000 people have been injured, many of them seriously.

The worst affected region is the coastal province of Manabi; however, the full extent of damage remains unknown, as of posting.

Hundreds of aftershocks have rocked the disaster zone including at least three that measured between 5.4Mw and 5.6Mw.

Japan Deadly Earthquakes

Dozens of significant aftershocks continue to rattle the disaster area in Kyushu, Japan.

Up to 200,000 people have been evacuated following the two deadly quakes that have killed dozens of people, and left thousands more injured.

The quakes and aftershocks have destroyed or damaged more than 3,000 houses. Bridges, tunnels, roads and large sections of highways have also been destroyed.

Ground movements of up to 2 meters have been reported, apparently due to a new active fault line!

Up to a quarter of a million households are without power, natural gas, or water.

Serious food and water shortages have been reported. Piles of garbage are posing a health threat throughout the disaster area.

Chile
M5.6 [31.715°S, 71.175°W] about 9km S of Illapel, Chile 2016-04-18 11:38:38 UTC depth=39.4km

Vanuatu
M5.9 [19.479°S, 169.034°E] 25km WNW of Isangel, Vanuatu 2016-04-18 13:06:11 UTC depth=74.5km