Earthquake in Chile causes the earth to shift on its axis

[Chris]

Scientists at NASA say the earthquake in Chile caused the earth's axis to shift, which in turn shortened the earth’s day by 1.26 microseconds. NASA also stated that after the Indonesia tsunami in 2004, the Earth’s days were shortened by 6.8 microseconds.

NASA says the earthquake in Chile changed the Earth?s axis

 

[waltky]

Copahue volcano evacuation order in Chile...

Chile volcano: Evacuation order for Copahue area
27 May 2013 - The authorities in Chile have ordered the evacuation of more than 2,000 people living near the Copahue volcano in the south of the country.

They issued a red alert - the highest possible - saying the volcano could erupt imminently. The evacuation will affect some 460 families living within a 25km (15 miles) radius of Copahue.

Residents living near Copahue were also evacuated last year after the volcano erupted

The 2,965m (nearly 10,000ft) volcano sits in the Andes cordillera, on the border with Argentina. "This red alert has been issued after monitoring the activity of the volcano and seeing that it has increased seismic activity," Interior Minister Andrew Chadwick said in a news conference. "There is a risk that it can start erupting." The BBC's Gideon Long, in the Chilean capital, Santiago, says that thousands of minor earth tremors have been registered in the area in recent days.

Argentina on alert

According to Chile's Emergency Office, the evacuation could last about 48 hours, but could be delayed because of heavy rains in the region. The authorities in Argentina's Neuquen province have declared a "yellow alert," but said evacuations were not necessary. Last December, Chile also issued a red alert after Copahue - one of the most active volcanoes in the country - began spewing ash and gas, with smoke raising nearly 1.5km (a mile) in the sky.

Nearby residents were temporarily evacuated, and planes flying over the southern Andes warned to avoid the area. Hundreds of flights were cancelled last year due to the eruption of another volcano in southern Chile. The Puyehue eruption caused huge economic damage not only to property in the area but also to tourism in Bariloche and other resorts.

BBC News - Chile volcano: Evacuation order for Copahue area