Major earthquake in Chile

[DHG750R]

http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/americas/ ... tml?hpt=T1
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35615455/ns ... -americas/
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/ ... s2010tfan/

http://forecast.weather.gov/showsigwx.p ... mi+Warning

A magnatude 8.8 earthquake centered 200miles southwest of Santiago has caused widespread damage, There are deaths being reported as well. The airport at Santiago (SCL/SCEL) is closed until 1200z on 01 March. A Tsunami warning has been issued for the entire west coast of South America as well as most of the South Pacific, as far away as New Zealand. This includes Hawaii ...

[ISP Pilot]

Two AA SCL bound flights, 945 from DFW and 957 from MIA diverted/returned to MIA. According to aacargo.com, 957 took off at 950 pm and landed MIA at 704 am. 957 took off at 1211 am and landed MIA at 746 am. The news channels are reporting that the SCL airport is closed.

Thoughts and prayers to all those affected.

[Iberia A340-600]

The terminal at SCL has received substantial damage and the airport is expected to be closed for the next three days. Pedestrian walkways collapsed and lots of glass shattered, however no damage to the runways or taxiways has been reported. Domestic flights diverted to Mendoza in Argentina, while some international flights diverted to Buenos Aires, Lima, and some returned back to their original destination. Apparently Air Canada has a 777-300ER stuck, which suffered a birdstrike yesterday.