Earthquake in Chile today

There was an earthquake today just north of the area where I was visiting last month.
The following is the news story:



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Chile Earthquake Shakes Mining Province

By Heather Walsh

Feb. 19 -- Chile, the world's biggest copper producer, was struck by an earthquake with a magnitude of 5.5 centered in its largest mining province, the U.S. Geological Survey said.

The quake hit 65 kilometers (40 miles) north-northwest of the port city of Antofagasta at 4:24 p.m. local time, the USGS said today on its Web site. A quake of that magnitude can cause damage, it said. No injuries or damage to homes were immediately reported, Chile's National Emergency Office said on its Web site.

``It can be catalogued as a quake of minor to medium intensity,'' Fernando Diaz, a spokesman at Chile's Emergency Office, said in a phone interview in Santiago.

Mining companies in the province, also called Antofagasta, did not immediately report damage from the quake, Diaz said.

Codelco, the world's largest copper producer, said the quake wasn't felt near Chuquicamata, its biggest mine, according to the company's communications office in the city of Calama.

Escondida, the world's largest copper mine, had no damage from the quake, according to BHP Billiton Ltd., which controls the mine.

The quake was at a depth of 10 kilometers, the U.S. Geological Survey said.
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Take the time to use this blog for additional educational purposes with your family.
Knowledge about Chile and potential natural disasters will help you to be better prayer warriors, not only for our family, but for other missionaries as well.
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Last 5 Major Earthquakes in Chile

June 13, 2005 - Tarapaca - 7.8
August 28, 2004 - Argentina Border - 6.5
March 5, 1987 - Antofagasta - 7.2
March 3, 1985 - Llolleo - 7.5
May 22, 1960 - Valdivia - 9.5

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The following is a short homeschooling project submitted by Zach Chamberland:

In the earthquake of 1985 fourteen people were killed and hundreds of people were injured. Mrs. Kristi Flinck, a friend of my mom's, was there when it happened, she was at seven o'clock prayermeeting. It is said that "thousands of people ran screaming from their homes as walls collapsed and glass and plaster showered the streets". (1) Mrs. Kristi was nine and VERY SCARED!!! The quake lasted for around five minutes! Thats not all, the aftershocks lasted for about two and one half hours after the quake. In the streets were people trying to get away from falling buildings. Luckly Mrs. Kristi did not get hurt and no one that she knew got killed. Also, the greatest Earthquake on Record was in Chile in 1960.(2)

I got my information from Mrs Kristi Flinck and from the internet.
(1) Associated Press, published March 4th, 1985
(2) extremescience.com
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To view pictures and info about the 1960 Chile earthquake and tsunami click here.

To learn more about earthquakes click here