Post by LS on Apr 2, 2014 1:20:35 GMT
A powerful magnitude-8.2 earthquake struck off Chile's northern coast Tuesday night, and officials ordered an evacuation of coastal areas before an expected tsunami. There were no immediate reports of injuries or damage from the tremor, which also shook buildings in parts of nearby Peru and Bolivia.
The U.S. Geological Survey initially reported the quake at 8.0, but later upgraded the magnitude. It said the quake struck 61 miles (99 kilometers) northwest of the Chilean city of Iquique at 8:46 p.m., hitting a region that has been rocked by numerous quakes over the past two weeks.
Waves measuring almost 2 meters (6 ½ feet) already were striking cities on the coast, and authorities said a tsunami was expected to come ashore later. Local TV images showed residents evacuating calmly.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued an alert for all of Latin America's Pacific coast. Chile's Emergency Office said a large tsunami wave was expected to hit the island of Juan Fernandez out in the Pacific just before midnight local time.
Chile's emergency service reported some road blocked by landslides caused by the quake, but said no injuries had been reported so far.
Home> International Magnitude-8.2 Quake Strikes Northern Chile
The U.S. Geological Survey initially reported the quake at 8.0, but later upgraded the magnitude. It said the quake struck 61 miles (99 kilometers) northwest of the Chilean city of Iquique at 8:46 p.m., hitting a region that has been rocked by numerous quakes over the past two weeks.
Waves measuring almost 2 meters (6 ½ feet) already were striking cities on the coast, and authorities said a tsunami was expected to come ashore later. Local TV images showed residents evacuating calmly.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued an alert for all of Latin America's Pacific coast. Chile's Emergency Office said a large tsunami wave was expected to hit the island of Juan Fernandez out in the Pacific just before midnight local time.
Chile's emergency service reported some road blocked by landslides caused by the quake, but said no injuries had been reported so far.
Home> International Magnitude-8.2 Quake Strikes Northern Chile
