Earthquake Near Capital of Chile

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 Moderate earthquake near the Chilean capital Santiago de Chile

Last update: March 24, 2012 at 2:39 pm by By 

USGS I Have Felt It values – Moderate to light shaking in average (MMI IV-V)

M 5.2      2012/03/24 07:28     Depth 68.8 km      REGION METROPOLITANA, CHILE
We have an unusual number Chile visitors in the site at this moment.
This means an earthquake has struck Chile
Universidad de Chile is not reachable
Other agencies have no values yet
The first “experience reports” we are receiving are mentioning a strong shaking in Santiago de Chile
USGS is mentioning a preliminary Magnitude of 5.1 @ a depth of 66.7 km
If these data are confirmed, the earthquake would not be damaging
The epicenter has been (preliminary) located at 50 km from Santiago de Chile (capital)
The fact that the epicenter is located so close to the Chilean capital is the reason why millions of people have felt this earthquake as very dangerous.  The depth of 60 km gives almost the same shaking values in Santiago than in the epicentral area.
Update 08:00 UTC : Universidad de Santiago de Chile is reporting a M 5.3 at a depth of 68.9 km. These data are confirming our earlier stated expectations that this earthquake would not lead to serious damage or injuries
Update 08:51 UTC : This earthquake is a typical “subduction earthquake“. The Oceanic Nazca plate is subducting (gliding below) the continental South American plate. This gliding effect is not always smooth, and the Nazca plate sometimes hangs (stops moving). The continuous moving of the Nazca plate increases the pressure and the resistance point breaks off : earthquake. The depth of 69 km gives an approx. impression of the thickness of the South American plate at the epicenter (of course theoretically, as the breaking point maybe also deeper or shallower)
Update 09:07 UTC : Onemi Chile has had (as expected) NO reports of damages or injuries
MMI values as recorded by ONEMI Chile
Región: Coquimbo
MMI V : Canela, Los Vilos, Salamanca
Región: Valparaíso
MMI V : Casablanca, Concón, El Quisco, La Ligua, Los Andes, Quillota, San Antonio, San Felipe, Valparaíso, Villa Alemana, Viña del Mar, Zapallar
MMI IV : Quintero
Región: Metropolitana de Santiago
Puente Alto, San Bernardo, Santiago, Talagante, Tiltil
Región: Libertador Bernardo O’Higgins
Rancagua: IV

for more information and updates, go to:  http://earthquake-report.com/2012/03/24/earthquakes-list-march-24-2012/