Tsunami feared.
8.3-Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Off Coast of Chile
by PHIL HELSEL and REUTERS
An 8.3-magnitude earthquake struck near the central coast of Chile Wednesday, sparking fears of tsunami waves as far as Hawaii, officials said.
The earthquake struck 44 miles west-northwest of Illapel, and north of Santiago, at 6:54 p.m., the U.S. Geological Survey said. It said the earthquake was the largest to hit the area in over 100 years.
There were no immediate reports of injuries or damage. A Reuters witness said the quake shook buildings in Chile's capital, Santiago.
Chile's National Emergency Office of the Ministry of Interior and Public Security said in a series of Twitter posts that residents were being urged to evacuate coastal regions and remain calm.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said tsunami waves measuring 3 meters (around 10 feet) higher than the tide level are possible for some coasts along Chile, and tsunami waves between 1 to 3 meters above tide level are possible for French Polynesia.
The tsunami center issued a tsunami watch for the state of Hawaii, and said if a wave is generated the earliest arrival time in Hawaii is 3:06 a.m. local time (9:06 a.m. ET).
The USGS first said it was a preliminary 7.9-magnitude earthquake, then upgraded it to an 8.3. It was felt in Central Chile and Western Argentina, the USGS said.
Aftershocks measuring around 5- and 6-magnitude range were reported after the initial earthquake, the USGS said.
The USGS said the quake was the largest since 1906, when an 8.2-magnitude quake hit. In 2010, there was a 7-magnitude earthquake in the area.
8.3-Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Off Coast of Chile
by PHIL HELSEL and REUTERS
An 8.3-magnitude earthquake struck near the central coast of Chile Wednesday, sparking fears of tsunami waves as far as Hawaii, officials said.
The earthquake struck 44 miles west-northwest of Illapel, and north of Santiago, at 6:54 p.m., the U.S. Geological Survey said. It said the earthquake was the largest to hit the area in over 100 years.
There were no immediate reports of injuries or damage. A Reuters witness said the quake shook buildings in Chile's capital, Santiago.
Chile's National Emergency Office of the Ministry of Interior and Public Security said in a series of Twitter posts that residents were being urged to evacuate coastal regions and remain calm.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said tsunami waves measuring 3 meters (around 10 feet) higher than the tide level are possible for some coasts along Chile, and tsunami waves between 1 to 3 meters above tide level are possible for French Polynesia.
The tsunami center issued a tsunami watch for the state of Hawaii, and said if a wave is generated the earliest arrival time in Hawaii is 3:06 a.m. local time (9:06 a.m. ET).
The USGS first said it was a preliminary 7.9-magnitude earthquake, then upgraded it to an 8.3. It was felt in Central Chile and Western Argentina, the USGS said.
Aftershocks measuring around 5- and 6-magnitude range were reported after the initial earthquake, the USGS said.
The USGS said the quake was the largest since 1906, when an 8.2-magnitude quake hit. In 2010, there was a 7-magnitude earthquake in the area.