Prophetic Intelligence Briefings
Earthquake Strikes Chile · March 09, 2010
“As the sun set in Chile on Saturday,” said CNN from Santiago, “a picture of the immense structural damage wrought by an early morning earthquake had come clearly into focus, with the nation’s president estimating that 2 million people had been affected in some way.” More than 700 people were killed (at the time this report was written), 1.5 million homes were damaged or destroyed, and between $15bn and $30bn in damage was done.
The quake, which struck at 3:34 am local time on Saturday morning at a depth of 21.7 miles caused widespread damage. In addition to collapsed buildings, the major north-south highway was severed at multiple points; and Santiago’s airport was closed because its terminal sustained substantial damage.
“Coastal Chile has a history of deadly earthquakes, with 13 quakes of magnitude 7.0 or higher since 1973, the U.S. Geological Survey said. As a result, experts said that newer buildings are constructed to help withstand the shocks.”
“The forces of nature have hurt our country greatly,” said Michelle Bachelet, the country’s president in a nationally televised message. “We are now having to face adversity and stand again.”
The quake, which was felt in Buenos Aries, Argentina more than 800 miles away, was followed by 76 aftershocks of 4.9 magnitude or greater, according to the USGS. Tsunami’s following the quake damaged the island of Juan Fernandez, 400 miles off the coast of Chile. .
“The task of trying to rescue survivors and recover the dead continued into the night. Buildings lay in rubble, bridges and highway overpasses were toppled and roads buckled like rumpled paper. Mangled cars were strewn on highways, many of them resting on their roofs.” Electricity and basic services were cut off in the earthquake stricken area including water and telephones. Two of the largest hospitals were seriously damaged. “Chilean television showed buildings in tatters in Concepcion, in coastal central Chile.”
“And there shall be… earthquakes in divers, places.” Matt 24:7
