Major Earthquake Strikes Chilean Coast

Luke 21:11 There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven.

A major 6.7 magnitude earthquake struck off the Chilean Pacific coast Sunday that forced the evacuation of almost 100,000 residents from coastal areas.

The quake struck about 6:16 p.m. local time about a depth of 12.5 miles 37 miles northwest of Iquique.  The quake was followed by a series of strong aftershocks ranging from magnitude 4.9 to 5.2 according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

Officials say that no major damage is reported from the quake however many buildings have broken windows and cracked doors.

Chile’s navy had detected the possibility of a small tsunami setting off the tsunami warning systems between the towns of Arica and Tocopilla.  The tsunami was smaller than expected with only a crest of 13 inches above normal sea level.

Chile, located on the Pacific Ring of Fire, is one of the world’s most earthquake-prone countries and is the location of the strongest quake in recorded history, a 9.5 magnitude in 1960 that killed over 5,000 people.

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