At least 337 killed in strong quake that hits Peru's coast

[uppityperson]

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2003838905_webearthquake16.html

The death toll from a powerful earthquake rose to at least 337 Thursday, a day after the magnitude-7.9 temblor shook Peru's coast, toppled buildings and shattered roads, officials said.

More than 827 people were reported injured and the Red Cross said the toll was expected to rise.

Rescue workers struggled to reach the center of the destruction, the port city of Pisco about 125 miles southeast of the capital, Lima. Pisco's mayor said at least 200 people were buried in the rubble of a church where they had been attending a service.

"The dead are scattered by the dozens on the streets," Mayor Juan Mendoza told Lima radio station CPN.

"We don't have lights, water, communications. Most houses have fallen, churches, stores, hotels, everything is destroyed," he said, sobbing....(more)

[sinkingfeeling]

1. Anybody know how long after a quake this size (been upgraded to 8.0) tremors

occur? I'm supposed to be in Lima 63 days from now.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/americas/08/16/peru.earthquake/index.html

The two-minute, 8.0-magnitude quake struck Wednesday evening, and strong aftershocks followed, including a 6.0-magnitude temblor on Thursday, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

The earthquake was more powerful than its initial measurements suggested. The USGS upgraded it Thursday from 7.9 to 8.0.

[Warpy]

2. USGS has upgraded it to an 8.0

They were just lucky it was so deep, over 18 miles. A shallow quake would have devastated even Lima.

Aftershocks have been in the 5.0-6.3 range and many of those have been shallow.

Expect the toll to rise, I'm afraid.