8.2 Earthquake Chile, April 1, 2014

Source: BPEarthWatch youtube



A massive 8.2 magnitude quake has struck off the coast of northern Chile, killing 5 people and displacing around 80,000. Damages and fires have been reported throughout the region and many have lost power because of the quake.

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.

At least five people have died following the quake, Chile's Interior Minister Rodrigo Penailillo said. In Iquique, four men reportedly died of heart attacks and in the municipality of Alto Hospicio one woman was crushed to death when a wall collapsed.