After the most shocking earthquake that was held at Haiti a few weeks ago, here comes another one. It was all so shocking to hear this kind of news. Hour before, I and some of my groupmates interviewed the head of the Civil Engineering in the Faculty of Engineering, Engr. TIburcio, at the oldest existing University on Asia, the University of Santo Tomas. Our topic about the interview: earthquake resistant buildings. As I am way back to my hometown, Pampanga, this afternoon (Philippine time), i was shocked to hear the news that an 8.8 magnitude earthquake strucked Chile, another earthquake hit Southern Japan, and another hit Southern Philippines. All happened on the 26th of February, 2010. Here are some of the details:
CHILE
A massive 8.8-magnitude earthquake struck Chile early Saturday, killing at least 78 people, collapsing buildings and setting off tsunami.
Chilean TV showed devastating images from the country's second city of Concepcion of collapsed homes, a large building completely engulfed flames and injured people lying in the streets or on stretchers. It said the earthquake destroyed many roads, making it imposiible for vehicles to get through, and there was no electricity or water.
Tsunami warnings were issued over a wide area, including South America, Hawaii, Australia and New Zealand, Japan, the Philippines, Russia and many Pacific islands.
A huge wave reached a populated area in the Robinson Crusor Islands off the Chilean coast, said President Michele Bachelet. There were no immediate reports of major damage there, she added.
Bachelet said the death toll was at 78 and rising, but officials had no information on the number of people injured. She declared a "state of catastrophe" in central Chile.
JAPAN
A powerful earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.9 rattled Japan's southern islands early Saturday, injuring two and initially prompting fears of a tsunami.
