Tsunami Alert After 7.9 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Papua New Guinea

International Business Times: The US Geological Survey (USGS) says a magnitude 7.9 earthquake has struck in the waters off Papua New Guinea.

A tsunami alert was issued after the quake, according to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre (PTWC). This earthquake is considered to be a major one. Due to the depth of the tremors, shockwaves will be felt in a very wide radius, according to Earthquake Report. Maximum shaking values are reported as “very strong”, but not considered as anything out of the ordinary for a country like Papua New Guinea and its neighbouring islands.

Strong tsunami waves could affect the coastal areas of Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Indonesia, Nauru and other islands in the hours following the quake, the PTWC said.

The quake struck 60 km to the east of Taron, New Ireland, at 8.51 pm local time (1051 GMT) and was originally recorded at 8.0-magititude and then slightly revised down to 7.9. It struck at a depth of some 75 km, according to the USGS.

A Magnitude 6.0 Earthquake Rattles Kalimantan

(NST) JAKARTA: A strong 6.0 magnitude earthquake struck Indonesia early on Monday, the US Geological Survey (USGS) said, but no immediate damage or casualties were reported. The quake, which was relatively shallow, struck the northeastern corner of Kalimantan on the Indonesian part of Borneo island, 34 kilometres (21 miles) north of the coastal city of Tarakan, according to the USGS. The agency reported the quake hitting at a depth of 22 kilometres. Indonesia’s tsunami warning centre said there was no potential for the quake to trigger a tsunami. There were also no immediate reports of damage. The archipelago nation sits on the Pacific “Ring of Fire” where tectonic plates collide, causing frequent seismic and volcanic activity in the region. Last month, a 6.1-magnitude undersea earthquake struck eastern Indonesia that was felt in Saumlaki and prompted some residents to run outside, though the tremor had no tsunami potential, disaster officials said. Earlier in November, two powerful quakes struck Sumatra – an initial 6.1-magnitude undersea tremor followed hours later by a strong 6.4-magnitude quake.–AFP  

Magnitude 8.2 Earthquake Hit Northern Chile

A fire burns at a restaurant after an earthquake in Iquique, Chile, Tuesday, April 1, 2014. A powerful magnitude-8.2 earthquake struck off Chile’s northern coast Tuesday night. There were no immediate reports of injuries or major damage, but buildings shook in nearby Peru and in Bolivia’s high altitude capital of La Paz. (AP Photo/Cristian Viveros) NO PUBLICAR EN CHILE

A powerful magnitude 8.2 earthquake struck off northern Chile on Tuesday night killing at least 5 people.

The Telegraph reported that according to the the United States Geological Survey (USGS) , the powerful quake struck at 8.46 pm local time (2346 GMT) at the relatively shallow depth of 10 kilometers (six miles), 83 kilometres from Iquique on Chile’s northern coast.

A view of the city of Iquique, Chile, after an earthquake struck late Tuesday, April 1, 2014. A powerful magnitude-8.2 earthquake struck off Chile’s northern coast Tuesday night. Buildings also shook in nearby Peru and in Bolivia’s high altitude capital of La Paz. (AP Photo/Cristian Viveros) NO PUBLICAR EN CHILE

The earthquake caused landslides that blocked roads, power failed for thousands, damaged an airport and caused fire to some buildings.

It also shook modern buildings in nearby Peru and in Bolivia’s high altitude capital of La Paz.

About 300 inmates escaped from a women’s prison in the city of Iquique.

However, Chilean press reported that 30-40 escaped prisoners had been recaptured.

A tsunami warning remained in effect for northern Chile, but alerts were lifted elsewhere.

Geophysicist Gerard Fryer at the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center told The Associated Press:

“We regard the coast line of Chile as still dangerous, so we’re maintaining the warning,”

The center warned that the U.S. state of Hawaii, might see higher waves on Wednesday. 

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In Peru, waves of 2 meters above normal forced about 200 people to leave the seaside town of Boca del Rio.

More than 10 strong aftershocks followed in the first few hours, including a 6.2 tremor.

Seismologist Mario Pardo from the University of Chile said that more aftershocks and even a larger quake could not be ruled out.