A massive quake in Chile earlier has shocked millions as the unexpected phenomenon hit the country late last night with an 8.2 magnitude. Latest updates from the massive quake in Chile include thousands returning home after the tsunami warning evacuation. Authorities believe that damage from the earthquake is limited and a total of 6 people died from the quake.
Since the massive quake in Chile last night, thousands of people evacuated from Chile's low-lying coastal areas. Over 900,000 people were evacuated from the coastline along Chile Tuesday. Residents returned home on Wednesday morning after authorities called off a tsunami alarm since authorities saw limited damage from the quake which started at sea. The latest update on the death toll from the massive quake in Chile is six people.
Aside from the deaths and a couple of after-shocks, the earthquake also triggered a tsunami that hit shore with 7-foot waves. The large after-shocks that preceded Tuesday's massive quake in Chile emptied beaches and roads as Chileans rushed to buy emergency rations and prepared for an eventual evacuation.
Chile is the world's No. 1 copper producer, and thankfully its mines appeared undamaged after the quake. Key copper exporting port in northern Mejillones, Angamos, escaped major damages as well. Meanwhile, workers there were evacuated as a precaution reports port union leader Enrique Solar to Reuters.
Chile is now in a state of calamity. Chilean president Michelle Bachelet already declared parts of Chile's north a disaster zone. She promised her Chilean constituents troops and police reinforcements to maintain order in the country while damages were being repaired. Since the aftermath of the massive quake in Chile began, Bachelet has decided she will be visiting affected areas starting later Wednesday. At this current moment, authorities are still evaluating the full extent of damage by the massive quake in Chile.
Chileans still have fresh recollections of the deadly quake and tsunami that struck their country's central-southern regions back in February of 2010. And now, they are met with this unexpected natural phenomenon.
Disaster management expert at Nottingham Trent University in Nottingham, England, Steven Godby, says, "The government of Chile has been working hard to improve the awareness of people living along the coast to the threat from tsunamis and on what to do if one is approaching." He added, "Several tsunami drills have taken place since the (earthquake and) tsunami that killed an estimated 500 plus Chileans in February 2010, and recent earthquakes in the region have helped to keep the threat firmly in people's minds."
The massive quake in Chile may have unnerved many Chileans once again, but Chile is responding well to the disaster despite damages and deaths.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
