2015 Illapel earthquake

2015 Chile earthquake

File:Shakemap us20003k7a.jpg USGS ShakeMap of the earthquake
Date	September 16, 2015 (2015-09-16)
Origin time	19:54:33 Chile Standard Time (22:54:33 UTC)
Magnitude	8.3 Mw
Depth	22.4 km (USGS)23.3 km (GUC)
Epicenter
Areas affected	Chile Argentina
Max. intensity	VIII (Severe)
Tsunami	Yes
Aftershocks	13 of 6.0 Mw or higher
Casualties	13 fatalities and 6 missing in Chile 1 fatality and minor injuries in Argentina

The 2015 Chile earthquake occurred 46 km (29 mi) offshore from Illapel, Chile on September 16 at 19:54:33 Chile Standard Time (22:54:33 UTC), with a moment magnitude of 8.3. The initial quake lasted three minutes, and was followed by several aftershocks greater than magnitude six. The Chilean government reported 13 deaths and 6 missing.

Earthquake

The process of subduction of the Nazca plate under the South American plate.

The earthquake occurred on thrust faults along the boundary of the Nazca and South American plates. The region frequently produces large earthquakes, and 15 others of magnitude 7 or higher have taken place within 400 km of the epicenter over the past 100 years.

Damage and range

Illapel, an inland city of some 30,000 residents, was reported immediately to be without electricity or drinking water. Two days after the quake, about 90,000 people were still without electricity. On September 21, officials were reporting over 9,000 people had been left homeless by the quake.

Tall buildings swayed and car alarms were set off in Buenos Aires, 1,110 kilometres (690 mi) away, and the earthquake was felt in São Paulo, more than 2,600 kilometres (1,600 mi) away. The Argentine provinces of Mendoza, San Juan, Córdoba, Tucumán, La Rioja, San Luis and Santa Fe were also affected.

Tsunami

Tsunami watches, warnings, and advisories were issued in Ecuador, Peru, New Zealand, Fiji, Solomon Islands, Hawaii, California and Japan. The first tsunami waves arrived on the Chilean coast within minutes. A wave 4.5 m (15 ft) high was observed along the coast of Coquimbo and the cities of Coquimbo, Tongoy and Concón reported flooding; large fishing vessels were swept into the streets of Coquimbo, which reported heavy damage.

In Tongoy, large areas along the sea front were destroyed. Across the region at least 500 buildings were destroyed, while dozens of beachfront homes in Los Vilos were damaged or destroyed. A state of emergency was declared in Coquimbo a day after the tsunami, with troops to be deployed to the area.

Evacuations

Chilean authorities ordered the immediate evacuation of the coast due to tsunami risk, with many people in coastal areas receiving automatic notices by cellphone shortly after the quake. The undersecretary for the ministry of the interior and public security reported that the evacuation affected one million people across the country.

Although causing damage in the hundreds of millions, the Illapel earthquake's low death toll relative to the 525 casualties of the significantly more powerful 2010 Chile earthquake was credited, in part, to its localization in a less-populated region, better coastal preparedness and an improved tsunami warning system, the longstanding enforcement of seismic building codes, and an improved emergency response.

Damage in Coquimbo
Boats stranded in Coquimbo after the tsunami Boats stranded in Coquimbo after the tsunami  Street scene near the coast in Coquimbo in the quake and tsunami aftermath. Street scene near the coast in Coquimbo in the quake and tsunami aftermath.  Coquimbo municipal library, after the tsunami Coquimbo municipal library, after the tsunami

See also

• 2010 Chile earthquake
• List of earthquakes in 2015
• List of earthquakes in Chile

External links

• Media related to at Wikimedia Commons