Living in Peru : your everyday companion

7.5 Degree Earthquake Epicentrum Reported to be in Peru's Ocean

(LIP-ir) -- An earthquake, registered by Peru's Geophysics Institute, to be a Level VI on the Mercalli intensity scale and 7.5 on the Richter scale, hit Peru at 6:41 p.m. today. Movement was registered for approximately 2 minutes.

It has already been reported that the earthquake has caused power outages, cracked streets and buildings in some areas of Lima. Peru's Health Minister, Carlos Vallejos has declared all hospitals in a state of emergency due to the earthquake.

Peru's El Comercio newspaper reported that the epicentrum of the earthquake was in the ocean, 33 kilometers west of Chincha and 18 kilometers deep.

Hernando Tavera, of Peru's Geophysics Institute, explained that this has been a "huge earthquake" in an area that has only had tremors for the past 50 years. He explained that aftershocks would be felt throughout the week.

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# leslie escobar says :
15 August, 2007 [ 21:21 ]

please help peru my family is there and my grandpa who is sick thankyouu <3

# Stuart says :
15 August, 2007 [ 21:37 ]

Please make any comments or requests for information on:
http://www.livinginperu.com/news/4497
or
http://www.livinginperu.com/news/4496

# Steve says :
15 August, 2007 [ 23:47 ]

Did the majority of the damage occur in the south of Lima?  How long did it sustain for (2 mins or more).  Reports are that 15 have died from the earthquake? Any names on those who have died?

Thanks,

Steve

# mr bill says :
16 August, 2007 [ 00:26 ]

Ica is a nice place... From what I remember, lots of sand and vineyards. Doubt much damage in Lima since it is a good distance from the epicenter. Still... my prayers go out the the awesome Peruanos that have had to endure this earthquake.

# Matt Lapin says :
16 August, 2007 [ 00:38 ]

There was some minor damage in the pueblos jovenes around Lima and Chorillos, but it seems the majority of the damage is in Ica, Pisco, and the south.

Many phones are still out and aftershocks are continuing, but Lima seems relatively under control.

# Al Wallace says :
16 August, 2007 [ 22:59 ]

Ihave a dear friend who lives in Pucusana and has moved to Lima to get out of the damage zone.  Several smaller adobe buildings collapsed in Pucusana and her school clearly shows damages in the structure (without collapse).   I would think that the more modern structures (hotels, etc) survived with occupants OK.  Pucusana is 70km south of Lima, yet only 25 km from the Epicenter according to US Geological Survey.

Al

Al,  We have an earthquake in Peru. You can't imagine how big is the disaster in Pisco, Cañete, Ica ( near Pucusana).  The houses fell down, the people died inside the  houses, the church fell down also, there are bodies on the streets, some injured, some dead. In Pucusana, there isn't water neither electricity, no internet. We will have the services after two days. Isaac and I are in Lima, in my brother's house. We come to see Cristina and Marcelo because they were very scared about the earthquake, and to see my mother and the rest of the family.We won't have classes because the school and some buildings are damage. We have to repair all the damage first to begin the clases.

 It is awfull! We went to Chilca to take some photos to send you and some photos from the damage at school.

Now we have to return to Pucusana because if we don't the robbers will steal our house and the school.

Tomorrow I will write your more.