A 8.3 magnitude earthquake rocked the central coast Chile on September 16, triggering strong aftershocks and small tsunamis along the coastline. The powerful earthquake could be felt as far away as Argentina. The quake was so strong, officials in the United States issued tsunami advisories along the California coast and Hawaii as precautions.
The deadly earthquake struck at 7:54 p.m. local time.
Over 1 million evacuated, 8 killed, 240k without power after 8.3 magnitude quake hits #Chile: http://t.co/usiNDgTZ9U pic.twitter.com/gUSdZUnPG4
— Talking Points Memo (@TPM) September 17, 2015
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At least a dozen aftershocks of magnitude 4.9 or higher continued shaking the area for the following hour.
Terrified, people filled the streets as their homes shook violently.
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The epicenter of the earthquake was near the coastal town of Illapel, Chile, 180 miles north of the nation’s capital Santiago.
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Tsunami warnings were issued for the entire Chilean coast.
At least 8 dead after last night's 8.3-magnitude quake off Chile, President Bachelet says. http://t.co/rLQ5DZqzu2 pic.twitter.com/evnrhfxlsv
— CNN Breaking News (@cnnbrk) September 17, 2015
Credit: @cnnbrk / Twitter
One million people were evacuated from their coastal homes.
» Chile earthquake: 8 3-magnitude temblor strikes off coast, killing 5 … http://t.co/UlNJc4TSNQ pic.twitter.com/WUehhjPJ98
— Jennifer (@brownjenjen) September 17, 2015
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Tsunamis battered the Chilean coast north and south of the epicenter.
Tsunami waves reached 4.75 m (15.6 feet) in Coquimbo, Chile after the quake. Pic- @Langel090 pic.twitter.com/kIjGVd4zcD
— AccuWeather.com (@breakingweather) September 17, 2015
Credit: @breakingweather / Twitter
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Waves as high as 15 feet devastated low-lying towns.
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Residents inspected the full damage the following day.
Facebook activates Safety Check after Chile earthquake ∞ 7 http://t.co/Yh4EMDFL9I pic.twitter.com/f4W1E5cdYf
— Mara (@mara1y) September 17, 2015
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Chileans pick through debris after powerful quake; eight killed: http://t.co/eJKatKI7H0 pic.twitter.com/2Izluaaa2l
— Reuters Top News (@Reuters) September 17, 2015
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There have been 11 confirmed deaths so far.
Hundreds of thousands of families remain without power.
#ChileQuake: "I thought it was the end of the world and we were going to die." http://t.co/hOhtVuljX6 pic.twitter.com/UWnG2Yy32n
— 997 NOW (@997now) September 17, 2015
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And towns are still under water.
https://instagram.com/p/7va_3xxbyu/
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“Once again we must confront a powerful blow from nature,” Bachelet said in a televised broadcast.
Chilean President Michelle Bachelet declared a catastrophe zone in the coastal cities.
Chile earthquake: At least 8 killed, 1 million evacuated after biggest quake so far in 2015 http://t.co/83UB3nvoPY pic.twitter.com/qbMwgXHFoZ
— CCTVNEWS (@cctvnews) September 17, 2015
Credit: @cctvnews / Twitter
Tongoy, Concón, and Coquimbo all reported strong tsunami activity.
In the aftermath, some offered perspective.
Credit: @ricardoinfantev / Instagram
In 1960, Valdivia experienced a magnitude 9.5 earthquake which shook the ground for 12 minutes and killing 1,665 people. It is the strongest earthquake ever recorded.
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