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#Tsunami warning is now in effect for #Chile and #Peru, following the 7.8 quake on Wednesday
(RT.com) — A 7.8 magnitude earthquake occurred just before 22:00 local time on Wednesday off the northern coast of Chile, 23 km (14 miles) south of Iquique, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS).
The epicenter of the latest quake was located at a shallow depth of 10 km (6 miles). Chile’s emergency ministry has ordered a preventative evacuation along the northern Chilean coastline, Reuters reported.
A tsunami warning is now in effect for Chile and Peru following the 7.8 quake, according to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center. “An earthquake of this size has the potential to generate a destructive tsunami that can strike coastlines in the region near the epicenter within minutes to hours,” the PTWC reported.
“Based on all available data a destructive Pacific-wide tsunami is not expected,” it added.
Another quake, measured at magnitude 6.4, also struck 47 km (29 miles) west of Iquique at around 21:00 local time Wednesday evening.
This comes one day after an 8.2 magnitude quake hit 95 km (59 miles) northwest of the same area, around Iquique.
After Tuesday’s quake, tsunami warnings spurred the evacuation of 900,000 people and 11 hospitals along the coastline, government officials said.
At least six people died following the quake, Chile’s Interior Minister Rodrigo Penailillo said. Many of the victims died from heart attacks or falling debris.
Source: http://www.redflagnews.com/headlines/tsunami-warning-is-now-in-effect-for-chile-and-peru-following-the-78-quake-on-wednesday
