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THE ASTRONOMER Electronic Circular No 2627      2010 Feb 28 21.19UT
Ed:Guy M Hurst, 16,Westminster Close, Kempshott Rise,  Basingstoke,
Hants, RG22 4PP,England.Telephone/FAX(01256)471074Int:+441256471074
INTERNET: GUY@TAHQ.DEMON.CO.UK      Backup: gmh@wdcc1.bnsc.rl.ac.uk
WORLD WIDE WEB                         http://www.theastronomer.org
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CHILEAN EARTHQUAKE AND ESO
ESO Expresses Support for Victims of Chile Earthquake; No Damage to ESO 
Observatories

A magnitude 8.8 earthquake struck central Chile at 03:34 local time
(07:34 CET) on Saturday 2010 February 27. The epicentre was 115 km 
north-northeast of the city of Concepción and 325 km south-west of the 
capital Santiago. The earthquake has caused significant casualties and 
damage in the country.

ESO expresses its deepest condolences to the families of the victims, 
and its sympathy and support for all those affected by the earthquake.

Despite being the 7th strongest earthquake ever recorded worldwide, the 
ESO observatory sites did not suffer any damage, partly as they are 
engineered to withstand seismic activity and partly due to their 
distances from the epicentre.

Read more in ESO announcement 1010:
http://www.eso.org/public/events/announcements/ann1010/index.html

(ESO education and Public Outreach Department, 28 February 2010)

Editor: We add the thoughts and sympathy of all TA subscribers and staff 
to the personal impact of this strong Earthquake. Naturally we are 
relieved to here that all staff at the European Southern Observatory are 
safe.

Guy M Hurst