As Chile Shook, Cities Shifted to the West

GPS Measurements Show Significant Movement From Feb. 27 Quake as Far as Argentina and Peru

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Using GPS technology, scientists have measured significant movement from the magnitude-8.8 earthquake that struck Chile on February 27. Concepcion, the largest city near the quake's epicenter, shifted 10 feet to the west. (SOEST, University of Hawaii)

(CBS/AP) The Earth moved . . . really.

Researchers say that during the massive magnitude-8.8 earthquake that struck Chile on Feb. 27, cities and islands physically shifted west, by as much as 10 feet.

The preliminary measurements were taken from GPS satellites, part of a project to measure coseismic displacements along fault lines in the Central and Southern Andes.

Scientists at Ohio State University and the University of Hawaii working on Project CAP found that the city of Concepcion - the nearest major city to last month's quake - moved at least 10 feet to the west.

Preliminary Coseismic Displacement Field (SOEST, 3/08/10)

Significant displacements were evident as far east as Argentina and as far north as the Chilean border with Peru.

Chile's capital, Santiago, moved just shy of a foot. Buenos Aires, in Argentina, moved an inch.

The Falkland Islands also went a tad west.

Researcher Ben Brooks said this happens with every quake, but usually it is too small to notice.

© MMX, CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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As Chile Shook, Cities Shifted to the West

GPS Measurements Show Significant Movement From Feb. 27 Quake as Far as Argentina and Peru

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