Magnitude-6.8 earthquake hits Chile, no injuries reportedNovember 7, 2015 - 17:46 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - A strong magnitude-6.8 earthquake struck north-central Chile on Saturday, November 7, causing buildings to sway in the capital of Santiago, but there were no immediate reports of injuries or damage, the Associated Press reports. The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake struck at 4:31 a.m. about 47 kilometers southwest of Ovalle, a city 300 kilometers northwest of Santiago, at a depth of 36 kilometers. Chile's Navy first alerted, but later discounted, the possibility of a small tsunami. "The situation in the region of the epicenter is now in a state of normality," Ricardo Toro, the head of Chile's emergency services, said in a press conference. He added Saturday's quake was part of a string of aftershocks from an 8.3-magnitude quake that hit off the coast of Chile on Sept. 16. That Sept. 16 quake killed 15 people, forced the evacuation of more than 1 million from coastal areas and caused much anxiety. But seismologists said Chile's heavy investment in the structural reinforcement of buildings and its constant refinement of a tsunami alert system helped prevent what would have been a catastrophe in less prepared nations. Chile is highly earthquake-prone. In 2010, a devastating 8.8-magnitude quake struck the country, one of the strongest ever recorded. The quake and the tsunami it unleashed killed more than 500 people, destroyed 220,000 homes and washed away docks, riverfronts and seaside resorts. The strongest earthquake ever recorded also happened in Chile: a devastating magnitude-9.5 one in 1960 that killed more than 5,000 people. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Your home is in Armenia – Ameriabank offers mortgage loans for the Diaspora To buy real estate, Diasporans can apply to Ameriabank online to buy, renovate or build a home anywhere in Armenia. Armenia-Qatar ties discussed in Doha The Secretary of Armenia’s Security Council met with the Deputy Secretary General of the National Security Council of Qatar. ARARAT special evening dedicated to Aznavour's 100th Anniv. On May 20 ARARAT legendary Armenian brandy, celebrated the centennial of Maestro Charles Aznavour with a special event. Surveying works underway in Armenia’s Kirants Surveying works are underway in the Armenian village of Kirants in the northern Tavush province. |