Statement from IAIA14 Program Chair April 2, 2014

Dear IAIA14 delegates,

At 20:45 last night local time, an 8.2 earthquake and minor tsunami occurred at the Chilean northern cities of Arica and Iquique. This phenomenon took place close to the border with Peru, 2000 kilometers to the north of Viña del Mar and Santiago, where the movement was not perceived by the people and no damage at all has been reported.

The venue where IAIA14 will take place as well as surrounding hotels and restaurants remain intact. IAIA14 will be held as scheduled.

Even though the population living in the lowest sections of all coastal cities in Chile were evacuated for a few hours last night, this is not something to worry about. Except for the two northern cities mentioned above where the waves rose during the night, the evacuation was just a preventive measure taken by the authorities of a seismic country that is used to this kind of situations.

If any of you have planned to arrive in Chile earlier than Saturday and are making a stopover in Arica or Iquique, I suggest you check with your package provider and/or hotel, in order to make sure they can provide all services you expect to receive. Flights to both cities will be reestablished by noon today.

I look forward to meeting you in Viña next week.

Best regards,
Hernán Joglar
IAIA14 Program Chair