Living in Peru : your everyday companion

Earthquake startles Lima, Pisco and Chincha residents

Living in Peru
Israel J. Ruiz

A strong tremor shook Lima on Saturday afternoon, startling residents throughout the city.

Surprised by the noise caused by the shaking many opted to dart out of their homes seeking open areas away from buildings and houses.

Local media reported that the tremor took place at 3:40 p.m. (local time) and that there was not a collapse in communications.

It was noted that one of the biggest problems during the August 2007 earthquake was a lack of cellular phone and land line communications.

There are currently no reports of injuries or structural damage to the city.

Correspondents in Pisco and Chincha affirmed the shaking was felt in these cities as well.

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# SA says :
1 November, 2008 [ 16:09 ]

Peru is no stranger to earthquakes.  They will survive.

# James Anderson says :
1 November, 2008 [ 16:39 ]

No real communication problem this time, BUT the cellphone lines were all down for several minutes.  I don't know if there is realistically anything that can be done about that.  Sort of scary when there is no way to communicate after a tremor. 

# abel says :
1 November, 2008 [ 17:08 ]

Es imcreible que las líneas de teléfonos dejaran de funcionar en momentos así. a mi madre casi le da un paro al corazón. nos quedamos sin comunicacion por muchos minutos. Creo que este es un tema serio que tiene que ser atendido con suma urgencia por las autoridades. Nuestro país ya sufrio una experiencia lamentable en las ciudades de Chincha e Ica y no queremos que nos vuelva a suceder esta vez.

# Rachel says :
1 November, 2008 [ 18:39 ]

Carlos Alvarez said "It's the month of earthquakes..."

It's always "earthquake month" in Peru!

There was a lot of noise, but not much swaying as I was expecting. The little tremor that happened the other day shook my building much more than this afternoon's earthquake, although this afternoon's earthquake actually startled me more.

# Mike says :
2 November, 2008 [ 07:10 ]

The pattern of quakes is typically August - December, and almost nothing for the rest of the year.

However, since the August, 2007 quake, there have been regular quakes every month in Peru.

# Shake, Rattle & Roll says :
2 November, 2008 [ 08:05 ]

There is no connection between weather and earthquakes.  They are the result of geologic processes within the earth and can happen in any weather and at any time during the year. Earthquakes originate miles underground.  Wind, precipitation, temperature, and barometric pressure changes affect only the surface and shallow subsurface of the Earth.  Earthquakes are focused at depths well out of the reach of weather, and the forces that cause earthquakes are much larger than the weather forces.  Earthquakes occur in all types of weather, in all climate zones, in all seasons of the year, and at any time of day.

# Roll, Rattle and Shake says :
2 November, 2008 [ 09:04 ]

I understand what you say SHake, and I know what all the scientists say.  It makes since.  HOWEVER, it is weird how here in Peru, the tremors and earthquakes do seem to be affected by the weather.  We often seem to have a "Cambio de clima" right after a big shake.  It makes for a fun "urban legend" if nothing else!

# Mike says :
2 November, 2008 [ 11:21 ]

Actually, I don't think it is weather related - a geologist friend of mine says it may have to do with the southern hemisphere's proximity to the sun (or the change thereof) during that time of year (i.e. an issue of gravitational pull).

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