THE
PRESIDENT: Good morning, everybody. Earlier today, a devastating
earthquake struck the nation of Chile, affecting millions
of people. This catastrophic event was followed by multiple
aftershocks, and has prompted tsunami warnings across the
Pacific Ocean. Earlier today, I was briefed by my national
security team on the steps that we're taking to protect
our own people, and to stand with our Chilean friends.
Early
indications are that hundreds of lives have been lost in
Chile, and the damage is severe. On behalf of the American
people, Michelle and I send our deepest condolences to the
Chilean people. The United States stands ready to assist
in the rescue and recovery efforts, and we have resources
that are positioned to deploy should the Chilean government
ask for our help. Chile is a close friend and partner of
the United States, and I've reached out to President Bachelet
to let her know that we will be there for her should the
Chilean people need assistance, and our hearts go out to
the families who may have lost loved ones.
We're
also preparing for a tsunami that could reach American shores
later today, particularly in Hawaii, American Samoa, and
Guam. A tsunami warning is in place, and people have been
alerted to evacuate coastal areas. I urge citizens to listen
closely to the instructions of local officials, who will
have the full support of the federal government as they
prepare for a potential tsunami, and recover from any damage
that may be caused.
I also urge our citizens along the West Coast to be prepared
as well, as there may be dangerous waves and currents throughout
the day. Again, the most important thing that you can do
is to carefully heed the instructions of your state and
local officials.
Once
again, we've been reminded of the awful devastation that
can come at a moment's notice. We can't control nature,
but we can and must be prepared for disaster when it strikes.
In the hours ahead, we'll continue to take every step possible
to prepare our shores and protect our citizens. And we will
stand with the people of Chile as they recovery from this
terrible tragedy.
Thank
you very much, everybody.
END
1:49 P.M. EST
-------------------------------------
According
to the U.S. Navy press release, dated February 27, 2010,
the Navy is taking precautionary measures in response to
the Tsunami warning issued in the wake of an 8.8-magnitude
earthquake that struck Chile. The measures include preparing
to sortie ships and moving a ship from Naval Station Pearl
Harbor and one from Naval Station San Diego.
USS
Crommelin, USS Chafee, USS Chung Hoon and USS O'Kane, USNS
Yukon and Sea Commando, a SEAL support vessel, will sortie
from Naval Station Pearl Harbor. USS Port Royal is in a
maintenance availability and cannot get underway, so it
will be moved to deeper water inside the harbor.
In
addition, the U.S. 3rd Fleet took precautionary measures
by advising able San Diego ships to get underway and to
take station in the Southern California operating area.
USS Lake Champlain will join USS Pearl Harbor, USS Dubuque,
USS Peleliu, and USNS Rainier, which are already at sea.
The
Navy is encouraging military families in Hawaii are encouraged
to call Fleet and Family Support Center in
Hawaii at (808) 474-1999 or to check Commander Navy
Region Hawaii Facebook page to be kept appraised of latest
updates. Updates also available on the U.S. Navy Facebook
page.
The
United States stands ready to assist in the rescue and recovery
efforts, and President Obama also mentioned that the United
State have resources that are positioned to deploy should
the Chilean government ask for their help. The Chille andthe
United States have strong relationship and President Obama
reached out to President Bachelet to let her know that we
will be there for her should the Chilean people need assistance,
and our hearts go out to the families who may have lost
loved ones.
Our
deepest condolances to those of who lost their loved ones
and our sincere prayers for the disaster affected ones from
the earthquake magnitude 8.8.
Sources:
White
House
Youtube
DOD
News Report
Navy.mil
catch4all.com,
Sandra Englund, February 27, 2010
Earthquake
Report by USGS
Magnitude 8.8 OFFSHORE MAULE, CHILE
Saturday, February 27, 2010
at 03:34:14 AM at epicenter
This
event has been reviewed by a seismologist. The U.S State Department has
set up a number for Americans to call if they are looking for infomation
about relatives and friends: 1-888-407-4747. This line will receive a high
number of calls however so you may hear a recording.
USGS
reported Chile earth quake: The magnitude 8.8 earthquake of February
27, 2010 ruptured the portion of the South American subduction
zone separating these two massive historical earthquakesOn February
27, 2010:
February
27 shock originated about 230 km north of the source region of
the magnitude 9.5 earthquake of May, 1960 – the largest earthquake
worldwide in the last 200 years or more. This giant earthquake
spawned a tsunami that engulfed the Pacific Ocean. An estimated
1600 lives were lost to the 1960 earthquake and tsunami in Chile,
and the 1960 tsunami took another 200 lives among Japan, Hawaii,
and the Philippines. Approximately 870 km to the north of the
February 27 earthquake is the source region of the magnitude 8.5
earthquake of November, 1922. This great quake significantly impacted
central Chile, killing several hundred people and causing severe
property damage. The 1922 quake generated a 9-meter local tsunami
that inundated the Chile coast near the town of Coquimbo; the
tsunami also crossed the Pacific, washing away boats in Hilo harbor,
Hawaii.
Preliminary
Earthquake Report U.S. Geological Survey, National Earthquake
Information Center World Data Center for Seismology located in
Denver.
SANTIAGO,
Chile - A devastating magnitude 8.8 earthquake struck Chile early
Saturday, toppling homes, collapsing bridges and spawning a tsunami
that threatened every nation around the Pacific Ocean — roughly
a quarter of the globe. Chileans near the epicenter were tossed
about as if shaken by a giant. It was the strongest earthquake
to hit the country in 50 years and one of the strongest ever measured
anywhere. President-elect Sebastian Pinera said more than 120
people died and the toll could climb higher. Local radio reported
up to 150 could have been killed or hurt in a collapsed 14-story
building in the hard-hit Concepcion, where firemen were working
to put out fires throughout the city. One fire was in the science
department in the local university.
According
to an Associated Press Television News cameraman, some buildings
have collapsed in Santiago and there are power outages in parts
of the city.[14] Santiago's International Airport seems to have
been damaged and the airport authority has closed off all flight
operations for the next 24 hours from around 1200 UTC. More than
120 deaths had been reported about 12 hours after the quake, and
the toll was rising. Damaged buildings and fires were reported
in Concepción. The Chilean National Emergency Office Oficina Nacional
de Emergencia estimated that the intensity of the earthquake was
9 on the Mercalli scale in the Biobío Region and 8 in Santiago.USGS
put the intensity in Santiago and Valparaiso at MM VI.
The
U.S. National Weather Service's Pacific Tsunami Warning Center
issued a tsunami warning in a huge swathe
of the Pacific region, including Antarctica. In the Americas,
the warning extends to Chile (including Easter Island), Colombia,
Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, and Panama.
A
warning was also issued for the Oceania and Pacific Islands nations
and territories of American Samoa, Australia, the Cook Islands,
the Federated States of Micronesia.
Coastal
areas of Canada's British Columbia are under a tsunami advisory.
Residents were advised to avoid beaches, harbours and marinas..
See
the damages via photos and fox news in below
Fox
news
Tsunami
warning has been throughout the pacific. A tsunami advisory is
also in effect for coastal areas of California, Oregon, Washington
and southern Alaska in the United States.
It
is good to review the important facts to know about the tsunamis.
See the following:
When
the tsunami happens, if you are on the land the following
advices may save your life: sources: USGS:
U.S.
Geological Survey Circular 1187 Version 1.1 talks about the great
tips for Surviving a Tsunami which compiled by Brian F. Atwater,
Marco Cisternas V.1, Joanne Bourgeois2, Walter C. Dudley3, James
W. Hendley II, and Peter H.Stauffer.
Tips
for Surviving a Tsunami
Head
for High Ground and Stay There- Move uphill or at least inland.
Away
from the coast.
Abandon
Belongings - Save your life, not your possessions.
Don’t
Count on the Roads When fleeing a tsunami caused by a nearby
earthquake, you may find roads broken or blocked.
Go
to an Upper Floor or Roof of a Building Only if trapped and
unable to reach high ground, go to an upper story of a sturdy
building or get on its roof. .
Climb
a Tree As a last resort, climb up a strong tree if trapped
on low ground.
Climb
onto Something that Floats If swept up by a tsunami, look
for something to use as a raft.
Expect
the Waves to Leave Debris A tsunami will leave behind sand,
the remains of houses, and bodies.
Expect
Quakes to Lower Coastal Land A large earthquake can leave
nearby coastal areas lowered, allowing tidal water to flood
them.
There
are many nonprofit organizations are already supporting for the
disaster in Chile, you may check to see the following links. Deepest
condolences, sympathies for the loved ones who are lost and prayers
for recover as soon as possible.
