Peru gets 7.5 earthquake
 

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20288105/

Not much news so far for a 7.5. Either the damage reports will start rolling in soon, or they'll probably downgrade the quake. I've got my money on brutal damage coverage.

Current news reports are saying that the first one was a 7.7 and the second one was a 7.5.

From the OP link:
Most current reports say the same thing.

ETA: The USGS web site lists it as:
MAP5.9 2007/08/16 00:19:09-14.460 -75.908 10.0NEAR THE COAST OF CENTRAL PERU
MAP5.8 2007/08/16 00:02:42-12.645 -75.508 31.2CENTRAL PERU
MAP7.5 2007/08/15 23:40:58-13.322 -76.508 40.7NEAR THE COAST OF CENTRAL PERU
(Times listed are UTC, not local)

Interestingly, there was a 4.7 Earthquake the day before.

The news doesn't get better. They've upped the magnitude to an 8.0. And, more importantly, there are well over 300 people dead.

link

:(

Not to be overly pessimistic but initial figures like these are typically off by a factor of 10 or even 100.

My thoughts go out to everyone effected.

Im almost sure my old house wouldnt survive such a shake, which gives me chills as Im not sure the building Im in now would either.

Yeah, the reports are getting uglier and uglier, aren't they? I kinda thought the initial article was a little too blase for that magnitude, especially in a 3rd-world country.

I haven't read any reports about damage to historical structures yet. Lima has some stunningly beautiful churches and temples nearby.

Reuters is reporting 400 dead. I'm sure that total will rise.

(AP says 450.)

Hubby called a few minutes ago to report a little shaker in the valley. According to the USGS it was 3.5 about a half hour ago near Chatsworth. Here's hoping it's not a foreshock. Pesky ring of fire...

Bloody hell, things have been a little on the active side lately, haven't they?