Earthquakes

[neroliie]

Another layman's question here, so please forgive my ignorance :8

When an earthquake strikes an area, as Chile has been affected this morning - what kind of effect does this have on (civil) aviation in the area?

I'm supposing that any departing flights would be cancelled - what about inbound flights? They'll be diverted, I suppose? How does a pilot/crew know how far away they have to divert (fuel permitting) to be able to land safely?

What happens if ATC (and other) facilities are structurally damaged? The simple answer would be, I suppose, 'Well, they're not there anymore' :ugh: but how do crews in the air respond to this? Or are there 'backups' for ATC to help divert flights?

My prayers and thoughts are with those affected over there (I woke up to the news this morning), and all those with friends and family in the area.

[barry lloyd]

Well apparently (according to BBC News) the airport at SCL is closed. I imagine that this has to do with problems of infrastructure and the inability of staff to reach the airport - it's a long way from Santiago itself.

[Richard Taylor]

Was hearing about another earthquake somewhere north of Japan either today or yesterday.

Has there been an increase in their frequency, or is it just better monitoring & reporting?

Seems to have been a few reported of late.

[11Fan]

Mr. Taylor, Mr. Taylor, White Courtesy Phone.

Latest Earthquakes in the World - Past 7 days (http://earthquake.usgs.gov/eqcenter/recenteqsww/)

[Fark'n'ell]

Latest Earthquakes in the World - Past 7 days (http://redirectingat.com/?id=42X487496&url=http%3A%2F%2Fearthquake.usgs.gov%2Feqcenter%2Frecenteqsw w%2F)

It appears this website is a little behind the times 11FAN. We had one here in NZ yesterday,magnitude 5 but they don't seem to be reporting it yet.

[11Fan]

We had one here in NZ yesterday,magnitude 5 but they don't seem to be reporting it yet.

Perhaps because tomorrow was today yesterday so it didn't happen yet. :confused:

It's there now it seems (if this is the one)

Magnitude 5.4 - FIJI REGION (http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/recenteqsww/Quakes/us2010txa3.php)

We had one here in So Cal this morning. Scattered the cats, but not much else.