NEWSBRIEF: MASSIVE 8.8 EARTHQUAKE ROCKS CHILE
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SANTIAGO, Chile (AP) — A massive 8.8-magnitude earthquake struck Chile early Saturday, collapsing buildings, killing at least 16 people and downing phone lines. President Michele Bachelet declared a “state of catastrophe” in central Chile and said the death toll was rising.
Tsunami warnings were issued over a wide area, including Chile, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Panama, Costa Rica, Antarctica and Australia.
“We have had a huge earthquake, with some aftershocks,” Bachelet said, appealing from an emergency response center for Chileans to remain calm. “Despite this, the system is functioning. People should remain calm. We’re doing everything we can with all the forces we have. Any information we will share immediately.”
Bachelet said early reports were that 16 people had been killed, and “without a doubt, with an earthquake of this magnitude, there will be more deaths.”
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Chile has behaved itself well since we last overthrew their elected government. 1973 I think it was ?
But what had Chile particularly done to annoy God? Not aware of Chile bombing anyone lately anyroad…
Perhaps God is an American and thought Chile was Iran?…;-)
The problem with Haiti was the vast majority of its population lived in fragile shacks. Even a 7.0 had no problem toppling them. No doubt the Jesus Jumpers will be ecstatic at what they will perceive as affirmation of their religious convictions and biblical prophecy.
The Christers’ attempts to explain disasters via theology illustrates the problem with theology. Rather than accepting that there are things we can’t explain and/or control, some people make up supernatural explanations and convince themselves an all-powerful god controls everything. They’re not helping anybody with their nonsense.
Anyhooooo … One of my pet peeves about earthquake coverage is how little context is given to Richter magnitude numbers. To gain a little context, I’ve consulted the Wikipedia page on Richter magnitude scale. Today’s Chile earthquake is an 8.8, weaker than the December 2004 tsunami earthquake in the Indian Ocean (9.1) but considerably stronger than the quake that devastated San Francisco in 1906 (8.0). It’s much more powerful than the one that hit Haiti last month (7.0).
Have you noticed Beach… that the blades are out in force in the last couple of weeks? I mean, people are having troubles that are confrontational and could be dangerous, just ordinary folks. Your neighbors…? I mean, I’m hearing it from all over the country with customers…
Yes. The Christ-ers. Thumping. Whose fault do think that schlacking bible touting Robertson will blame it on? Godless Inca shaman? Aztec / Maya calendars? Kon Tiki’s return to the people? A plumed serpent?
Time to send more to the Red Cross.
We can still send our prayers.
I can hear the biblethumpers now. Rode by a sign of a serious fundamentalist church just a couple of hours ago and it said “Come soon Jesus.”
There not connected but…