*Update* The recovery on Robinson Crusoe Island continues with the death toll now at 20. It is clear now that most of San Juan Bautista, the only “town” on the island, has been wiped out. Visit rcrusoe.org to find out more information about the efforts being made to help the people of the island and how you can help.

Tsunami Relief for Robinson Crusoe Island from Más a Tierra on Vimeo.

An 8.8 magnitude earthquake hit central Chile today creating a tsunami in its wake. The closest group of islands is the Juan Fernandez archipelago 700 kilometers off the coast of Santiago. Robinson Crusoe Island is the primarily inhabited island there and was hit by the tsunami probably only minutes after the earthquake. I spent 10 days there in Spring 2006 as part of a multimedia documentary project with UNC. I was the Director of Photography and shot the story A Lifelong Harvest. Friend and colleague, Andrea Ballocchi Coudeu has sent emails to those we know on the island but we have not had any luck reaching anyone yet. There is also a gallery of pictures from Isla Robinson Crusoe up on my website. Let’s hope everyone there is ok.