H5N1

Japan: Earthquake hits Fukushima

Via NHK World: Quake hits Fukushima.

An earthquake struck Fukushima and other northeastern Japanese prefectures early Saturday morning. 

The quake occurred at about 4:22 AM Japan time. 

The Meteorological Agency says the focus is 10 kilometers beneath the Pacific Ocean off Fukushima Prefecture. The magnitude was estimated at 6.8. The jolt measured 4 on Japan's seismic intensity scale of zero to 7. 

The agency issued a tsunami advisory for Fukushima, Miyagi and Iwate prefectures. The agency observed a 20 centimeter high tsunami at 5:12 AM in Ishinomaki City, Miyagi Prefecture. 

Tokyo Electric Power Company says there are no reports of irregularities at the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant that was crippled by a major earthquake and tsunami in 2011.

Some cheerful Sunday thoughts about fire, flood, pestilence and famine

I hope that regular visitors to this site have not been put off by my sudden interest in the Valparaíso fire, and that new visitors, seeking fire news, have not been baffled by reports of MERS in Yemen or H5N1 in Japan. The longer I work on this blog, the more clearly I see how all these seemingly unrelated disasters actually fit together.

When the Chile story broke last night (hat-tip to Maryn McKenna for retweeting a startling photo of the fire), it quickly became the kind of disaster that draws a lot of traffic, like the Haiyan/Yolanda typhoon last year or the Ebola outbreak in recent weeks. That in itself fascinates me, because a kind of online community forms with astonishing speed. Flublogia seems to be part of the world's new electronic immune system, setting off alarms and making the planetary organism more aware of the threat. In this case, hashtags like #AyudaValpo appeared as channels for information and help. 

Those channels may dry up with the passage of time, but Flublogia knows they're there, and Valparaíso knows Flublogia is here. When the next disaster arrives, its flash-flood of information will have those channels to move through. Similarly, we won't be quite as ignorant when the next outbreak hits West Africa, and our familiarity with the region may help to hasten aid and strengthen support.

Apart from the shock and alarm of a given disaster or outbreak, I increasingly see such stories as just another aspect of a larger story: the environmental, climatic and epidemiological impact that we are making on the planet and its organisms.

Just this morning the IPCC released a new report advising us on what we can do to keep the global temperature to a rise of 2 degrees. It should come as no surprise to Chileans, who have been struggling with drought both in their far north and in Valparaíso. It is no surprise to those living in Africa just south of the Sahara, where horrendous low-scale warfare seems like a preview of a post-apocalyptic future: armed groups slaughtering one another to scavenge the scraps from dead or dying countries. Whether by driving herders and farmers into stinking refugee camps or by driving bats out of clear-cut forests, the struggle for survival becomes ironically suicidal.

So having started nine years ago with a focus on one very obscure strain of flu virus, I increasingly see such viruses as just part of an enormous picture. Trying to encompass the whole picture of fire, flood, pestilence and famine is far beyond the capacities of one retired college teacher in a Vancouver suburb, but as part of a growing Flublogia I'm happy to do my part.

Chile: New earthquake forces new evacuation in Iquique

Via Nación.cl: Un nuevo sismo obliga a otra evacuación en Iquique. [New earthquake forces another evacuation of Iquique.] The report so far, with my translation:

Un fuerte sismo sacudió la noche de este miércoles la región de Tarapacá, siendo situado por el servicio geológico de Estados Unidos en 7,8 grados en la escala de Richter, aunque el Servicio Sismológico de la Universidad de Chile lo midió como 7,6 en forma preliminar. 

A strong earthquake shook the region of Tarapacá Wednesday night, estimated by the US Geological Service at 7.8 magnitude, though the University of Chile Seismological Service gave it a preliminary magnitude of 7.6.

Patrullas de Carabineros están coordinando a los habitantes de la zona baja de Iquique que tiene que evacuarla y acudir a las áreas altas de la capital regional. 

Carabinero patrols are telling the residents in the low-lying region Iquique they must evacuate and head for higher ground in the regional capital.

Se trata de una evacuación preventiva motivada por el sismo de 7,4 que a su vez prosiguió a otro movimiento telúrico.

This is a preventive evacuation motivated by the 7.4 quake that may trigger another seismic movement.

El SHOA indica estado de precaución por tsunami menor para las regiones de Arica-Parinacota, Tarapacá y Antofagasta.

SHOA has announced a state of minor tsunami precaution for the regions of Arica-Parinacota, Tarapacá, and Antofagasta.

Chile: New earthquake in the north; preventive evacuation ordered

Via BiobioChile.cl, a developing story: Nuevo terremoto se registra en el norte de país y llaman a la evacuación preventiva. [New earthquake recorded in north; preventive evacuation ordered] The report, with my translation:

La noche de este miércoles, un nuevo terremoto se registró en el norte del país, afectando a las regiones de Arica, Tarapacá y Antofagasta. 

A new earthquake was recorded this Wednesday night in the north of the country, affecting the regions of Arica, Tarapacá, and Antofagasta.

Según la información preliminar se habla de un sismo de 7.4 grados al suroeste de Iquique, mientras que usuarios aseguran que es de similares características al de la noche del martes. 

Preliminary information describes a quake of 7.4 magnitude southeast of Iquique, and experts say it has similar characteristics to the quake of Tuesday night. 

Segundos después del sismo, las alarmas de evacuación se activaron de forma inmediata para dichas regiones, debido a la posibilidad de un tsunami menor.

Seconds after the quake, evacuation alarms were activated at once for the affected regions, owing to the possibility of a minor tsunami.

Chile assesses damage after massive quake, tsunami

Via Reuters: Chile assesses damage after massive quake, tsunami. Click through for several videos. Excerpt:

Chilean authorities on Wednesday were assessing the damage from a massive earthquake that struck off the northern coast, causing a small tsunami, but the impact was mostly limited, according to early indications. 

Thousands of people who evacuated the country's low-lying coastal areas returned home on Wednesday morning after authorities called off a tsunami alarm. 

The 8.2 magnitude quake that shook northern Chile on Tuesday killed six people and triggered a tsunami that pounded the shore with 2-meter (7-foot) waves. 

Authorities evaluated the damage on Wednesday as the ocean waves receded and daylight showed the full extent of the outcome. 

Mines in Chile, the world's No. 1 copper producer, mostly said they were functioning normally, and oil refineries reported normal operations. 

The arid, mineral-rich north is sparsely populated, with most of the population concentrated in the port towns of Iquique and Arica, near the Peruvian border. 

In Peru, the earthquake led to temporary power outages and evacuations in some southern towns, but did not cause serious damage or injuries.  

Chilean President Michelle Bachelet visited the affected area on Wednesday. She declared a disaster zone, promising troops and police reinforcements to maintain order while damage was repaired after landslides blocked a number of roads. 

Local television showed smaller fishing vessels badly damaged and overturned in Iquique. Although the tsunami alert was called off, the navy warned that high waves and strong currents could continue, and ports in the area remained closed. 

Several smaller aftershocks, some as big as 5.2 magnitude, were registered over Tuesday night and Wednesday morning, according to Chile's emergency office. 

Over 900,000 people were evacuated from the coastline along Chile on Tuesday, according to the government's emergency office, in a move that local media reported took place in a largely orderly fashion. 

Thousands of miles away in Hawaii, residents were warned by the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center of possible sea level changes and strong currents that could pose a danger to swimmers and boaters. 

It was too early to estimate financial losses, but they were expected to be much lower than the $30 billion from the devastating 8.8 magnitude quake in 2010, which affected the more densely populated central region, said earthquake expert Alexander Allmann at reinsurer Munich Re.

Chile: The quake in The New York Times

Via The New York Times: Earthquake Hits Off Coast of North Chile. Excerpt:

An 8.2-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of northern Chile on Tuesday night, forcing a massive evacuation along the country’s long coastline. At least five people were reported to have died. 

The first waves of a tsunami hit several cities along the coast, which extends 2,653 miles. 

The epicenter of the earthquake was in waters 53 miles southwest of Cuya, a small town in Arica Province near the border with Peru. The deaths — four men and one woman, all in the city of Iquique — were the result of heart attacks or crushing, Interior Minister Rodrigo Peñailillo said. 

At least three people in Iquique, which has a population of about 182,000, were also reported injured.  

The national emergency service ordered the immediate evacuation of all coastal areas throughout the country, including Easter Island and the archipelago of Juan Fernández. 

More waves were expected throughout the night, with the highest expected to reach eight feet, near Iquique, Chilean officials said. According to a Reuters report, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said the coasts of Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Panama, Costa Rica and Nicaragua were also at risk.  

“We are evaluating minute by minute the variations in tide, and ask the population to remain informed,” Mr. Peñailillo said, emphasizing that the tsunami warning would last for several hours. 

In the hours after the earthquake, more than 300 female prisoners escaped during the evacuation of a prison in Iquique, the authorities said. More than a dozen of the inmates were recaptured, according to the police. 

The government said it was sending more than 100 special forces personnel and military troops to coordinate with the security forces in Iquique, Mr. Peñailillo added.  

Electricity failures occurred across most of Arica, a port city of about 200,000 people, and some adobe homes crumbled in the quake, Chilean news media reported. Mining companies in northern Chile did not immediately report damage to their installations. 

Chile: Five dead in earthquake

Via 24Horas.cl: Gobierno cifra en cinco los fallecidos por el terremoto en el norte. [Government says five dead in the northern earthquake] Excerpt, with my translation: 

Desde la Oficina Nacional de Emergencias (Onemi), el titular del Interior, Rodrigo Peñailillo, informó el saldo actual de fallecidos y además realizó una actualización de la evacuación a raíz del tsunami generado tras el terremoto en el norte. 

From the National Office of Emergencies (Onemi), Interior Minister Rodrigo Peñalillo reported the deaths and also described the evacuation due to the tsunami generated after the northern quake.

"El SHOA ha decidido cancelar la alarma de Tsunami desde Puerto Chacabuco hasta la Antártica. Comunicamos el lamentable fallecimiento de cinco personas, cuatro hombres y una mujer, tanto en Iquique como en Alto Hospicio, por infartos y por aplastamiento", confirma el ministro Peñailillo. 

"SHOA has decided to cancel the tsunami alarm from Puerto Chacabuco to Antarctic. We are sorry to report the deaths of five persons, four men and a woman, in Iquique and Alto Hospicio, from heart attacks and structural collapses," the minister said.

"Cada Intendente comunicará en qué comunas se suspenderán las clases. Hemos pedido que los Intendentes que lo comuniquen cuanto antes", confirma Rodrigo Peñailillo.

"Every superintendent will report which communities have suspended classes. We have asked them to communicate that as soon as possible," the minister added.

Chile quake: Tsunami alert extended for six hours

I checked all the online media in Iquique; they were either offline or displaying pre-quake websites. So I've gone to La Tercera in Santiago, which is liveblogging the aftermath: Minuto a minuto: extienden por seis horas más alerta de tsunami en el borde costero de Chile. [Minute by minute: tsunami alert on Chilean coast extended for six hours.]

Rather than translate the text, here's a quick selection of items:

Minister Peñalillo reports massive escape of 300 convicts from Iquique jail.

Minister says school authorities are asked to decide region by region on school suspensions in all evacuation zones.

Onemi, the Chilean disaster agency, says telecommunications are operating (well maybe not so much in Iquique tonight).

President Bachelet has suspended all her morning plans and is considering going to the quake zone.

Bio Bio Hospital is functioning on emergency lighting. (photo)

Downtown Valparaiso completely evacuated. (photo)

Seven aftershock so far recorded in Cuya: three in Iquique, three in Alto Hospicio and one in Cuya. Strongest was 5.4.

For more news (in Spanish): @onemichile; 24horas.cl (includes streaming video where at the moment they're saying it's a "nondestructive" tsunami").

Chile: 5.4 aftershock

Via Terra Chile: Fuerte sismo se registra en Región de Arica y Parinacota. [Strong quake recorded in Arica and Parinacota region] Excerpt, with my translation:

Una réplica del terremoto se produjo a las 21:03 minutos. 

An aftershock occurred at 9:03 p.m.

Según el Centro Sismológico Nacional, el sismo tuvo una magnitud de 5.4 grados Richter, con epicentro a 90 kilómetros al noroeste de Iquique, a 29 kilómetros de profundidad. 

According to the National Seismological Centre, the quake had a magnitude of 5.4 on the Richter scale, with an epicentre 90 kilometers northeast of Iquique, at a depth of 29 kilometers.

Dicho temblor se suma a las réplicas inferiores reportadas por usuarios en las redes sociales. 

The temblor is added to lesser aftershocks reported by social networks.

PRIMER BALANCE ONEMI: CONVOCAN A COMITÉ NACIONAL DE EMERGENCIA 

First Onemi balance: National Emergency Committee convoked

El director de la Onemi, Ricardo Toro, reiteró la información publicada previamente por el organismo y llamó a "evacuar de manera inmediata". 

Onemi Director Ricardo toro repeated the information published earlier by the agency and called on the public to "evacuate immediately."

More from Chile on the 8.3 earthquake

Via La Nación.cl: Terremoto de 8,3 grados Richter en el norte del país. [8.3 earthquake in the north] Excerpt, with my translation:

Un sismo de gran magnitud sacudió la tarde de este martes el norte del país. De acuerdo a Sismología de la Universidad de Chile, en su valoración preliminar, fue de 7,8 grados en la escala de Richter, pero posteriormente fue corregido al alza,a 7,9, pero finalmente fue medido en 8,3 grados. 

A huge earthquake struck this Tuesday afternoon in the north. According to University of Chile Seismology, it was 7.8 on the Richter scale, but that was corrected to 7.9 and then to 8.3.

Por su parte, el servicio geológico de EEUU estimó la magnitud en grado 8,0 en la misma escala. 

The USGS estimated the magnitude at 8.0.

El sismo ocurrió a las 20:46 y se situó a 85 kilómetros al sureste de Cuya o a 74 kilómetros al noroeste de Iquique, según el servicio sismológicos internacionales. 

The quake occurred at 8:46 p.m., 85 kilometers southeast of Cuya and 74 km northeast of Iquique, according to international seismological services.

La ruta de Iquique a Alto Hospicio está colapsada comlpetamete, debido a que muchas gente ha decidido marchar en sus vehículos a la zona vecina. 

The traffic from Iquique to Alto Hospicio has completely collapsed because many people have decided to move in their cars to the neighbouring zone

Hay funcionarios del Ejército y Carabineros coordinando el plan de evacuación y se teme que pudieran haber derrumbes en los caminos interiores. Pese a ello, aun no hay reporte de daños.

Army and Carabinero officials are coordinating the evacuation plan, and it's feared that there have been landslide on interior roads. Nevertheless, there are no reports of injuries.

I've been retweeting more than blogging, but I'll try to keep covering this story as closely as possible. 

¡Fuerza Chile!