Tsunami hits Chile coast following 8.2 quake

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Tsunami hits Chile coast following 8.2 quake

A tsunami wave hit the northern coast of Chile on Tuesday after a massive 8.2 magnitude earthquake struck off the country's shore. At least two people have died and three were seriously injured, officials say.

The quake occurred Tuesday, 95 km (59 miles) northwest of the mining area of Iquique near the Peruvian border. The epicenter was located at a shallow depth of about 20 km (12 miles) below the seabed.

The Chilean navy said the first sign of the tsunami hitting the coast was within 45 minutes of the quake. The US Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) said a tsunami measuring almost two meters had been generated.

Chile's emergency ministry ONEMI said there have been reports of landslides causing some blockage on roads and highways.

The governor of Iquique, Gonzalo Prieto, told local radio station Cooperativa that at least two people have been confirmed dead and three were seriously injured.

Electricity is out in Iquique, and partially lost in the Peruvian cities of Tacna, Moquegua, and Arequipa, Reuters reports.

Several aftershocks - ranging from magnitude 5 to 6.2 - were detected in the area following the earthquake.

Two major fires have been reported in Iquique following the quake, according to Publimetro. There have also been reports of looting in the city.

All of the Latin American Pacific coast is under threat for tsunami activity, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS). In addition to Chile, a tsunami warning has been issued for Peru, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said. Tsunami watches for Colombia, Panama, Costa Rica, and Nicaragua have been cancelled.

Aleuy said the tsunami alert for Chile's coast will last for at least another six hours after the quake, Reuters reported.
Source: http://rt.com/news/earthquake-strikes-chile-iquique-713/

Last week there was an Earthquake around California region magnitude around 5 on the richter. :hmm:
 

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