Just seen reports of an major earthquake in Chile, apparently centred on conception. Reuters reports 8.8 on the Richter scale. No reports of damage or casualties yet as I guess it is night time there.

Our thoughts are with all those affected particularly Huentetu who is a regular on this forum.
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE61Q0S920100227

More info at http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/8540289.stm

There is mass panic at this point and deaths have been reported. There is also a warning for a Tusnami.

News reports being followed at:
http://www.latinamericatraveler.com/...uake__2010.htm

http://www.lanewsupdate.com

There is NO mass panic here. There was obviously some panic at the time of the quake (more of a 2 minute roll on the high seas than a quake), but Chilean emergency services got to work immediately and people soon calmed down. Chile experienced the worst recorded earthquake ever and this appears to be making the top 5 list too. Chile is used to getting down to rebuilding and moving on.
I have read an incredible amount of misinformation today.

Glad to know you are ok Huentetu, and that people are buckling down to rebuilding and moving on.

You and yours are all OK, Huentetu?

Yes, we are OK. The house looks alright and we are just a bit sick of the aftershocks. This is my fourth major earthquake, the biggest, and it is definitely a case of absence would make the heart grow fonder. Things are pretty much a mess from here south to Temuco. With a change of government on the 11th of March, we are hoping the transition will move smoothly.
There is a lot of damage to the highway south and it is very difficult to move below Chillan. The road to the coast is alright but Valparaíso has sustained a lot of damage as so many of the houses are old. Some hotels there and in Viña are damaged. This being Chile, everything will have to be vetted before they can accept guests again. In Santiago some hotels were evacuated and people not allowed back in. Tourists were standing around with their luggage, airport closed, no idea where to go.
There are still a lot of aftershocks so more damage is possible and the situation could change, but not for the better. Not yet.

Thank you for letting us know, Huentetu. Stay safe. We're thinking about you.

Good to know you are safe Huentetu.