Deadly earthquake strikes Chile, may have changed day lengths
Randy Moorhead
Issue date: 3/5/10 Section: News
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According to President Michelle Bachelet the death toll has reached 795, as quoted by local media. Following the quake, large aftershocks continued to pound the country, with some measuring over 6.0 on the rictor scale. Over one hundred have been recorded so far.
In the hours after the earthquake, severe tsunami warnings were issued across the Pacific, with many reaching as far as Japan. The strongest waves struck the coast of Chile, and large waves were expected in places such as Hawaii. However, the waves were lower than expected; reaching only 3 ft. high, according to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center.
Humanitarian responses to the crisis have been widespread, with many nations sending condolences to the Chilean people, while also pledging aid and assistance.
According to wral.com, the earthquake is the seventh largest in recorded history, the largest taking place in the same area in 1960, which measured 9.5 on the Richter Scale and sent massive tsunamis across the Pacific.
According to Yahoo News, the earthquake was strong enough to shift the Earth's axis and may have shortened Earth's days by 1.26 milliseconds. This is an early prediction, and may turn out to be different as the data is further analyzed and more information becomes available.
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