September 18, 2015 - Chilean authorities report that the impact of the September 17th earthquake was mostly limited.
The 8.3 magnitude quake caused a tsunami alert for Chile's entire Pacific coast, and the tremor was so strong that people on the other side of the continent, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, reported feeling it.
More than a million people evacuated low-lying areas along the 2,400 miles of Chile's Pacific shore, from Puerto Aysen in the south to Arica in the north. Santiago's main airport was evacuated as a precaution, however, shipping ports and airports were not damaged as the earthquake hit about 250 miles north of Santiago.
Water flowed in the streets of Concon, a coastal town known for its beautiful beaches that is close to Valparaiso. Higher water was also seen in other cities, but no destructive high waves had been reported.
Late Wednesday, authorities lifted the tsunami warning for Chile's far southern regions. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center initially issued a tsunami watch for Hawaii, but later downgraded its advisory and said no major tsunami was expected. Tsunami advisories, less urgent than watches or warnings, were also issued for California and New Zealand.
Chile is one of the world's most earthquake-prone countries due to the Nazca tectonic plate plunging beneath the South American plate just off the coast, pushing the towering Andes cordillera to ever-higher altitudes. The strongest earthquake ever recorded happened in 1960 in Chile with a magnitude 9.5.
Chile celebrates its Independence Day today, meaning businesses are closed.
Please be assured that no AIReS shipments at the port are in danger, and our counselors are actively contacting each transferee currently in the region.
If you have any questions, please contact your AIReS representative.
About Aires
Aires delivers best-in-class global and domestic relocation solutions and mobility program management. Having been recognized by The Forum for Expatriate Management, the Better Business Bureau, and the Stevie Awards for organic growth methodology, excellent client/vendor partnerships, and leading-edge proprietary technology, Aires focuses on people, process, and technology to deliver world-class service. The company has also achieved ISO 9001, ISO 14001, FIDI-FAIM, C-TPAT, and Privacy Shield certifications and registrations. Clients are assured a focus on quality and customer service excellence when partnering with Aires. For more information, please visit www.aires.com.
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