That’s a big one. Prayers up.
8.5-magnitude quake hits Chile
Reuters
Saturday, February 27, 2010; 2:04 AM
SANTIAGO, Chile (Reuters) - A massive magnitude-8.5 earthquake struck near Concepcion, Chile, early on Saturday, the USGS reported, shaking buildings and causing blackouts in parts of the capital of Santiago.
A Reuters witness reported shaking buildings and loss of electricity in Santiago, which is north of the epicenter.
The earthquake struck 56 miles northeast of Concepcion at a depth of 34 miles at 3:34 a.m./1:34 EST/0643 GMT. The quake was initially reported at a magnitude of 8.3.
The Reuters witness reported a very strong shaking lasted for 10 to 30 seconds.
(Reporting by Alonso Soto and Doina Chiacu)