breaking news
updated 17 minutes ago

A massive magnitude-8.3 earthquake struck near Concepcion, Chile, early on Saturday, the U.S. Geological Survey reported, shaking buildings and causing blackouts in parts of the capital of Santiago.

A tsunami warning was issued for Chile and Peru by the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, and a tsunami watch was issued for Ecuador.

The earthquake struck 56 miles northeast of Concepcion at a depth of 34 miles at 3:34 a.m. (1:34 a.m. ET). It's magnitude was reported at 8.3 and 8.5, then fixed by the USGS at 8.3.
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People streamed onto the streets of the Chilean capital, more than 200 miles north of the epicenter, hugging each other and crying, a Reuters witness reported. Buildings shook and there were blackouts in parts of the city.

The Reuters witness reported very strong shaking lasting for 10 to 30 seconds.

A national emergency official told local radio the government was evaluating damage in and around Concepcion.

In 1960, Chile was hit by the world's biggest earthquake since records dating back to 1900, USGS data shows. The 9.5 magnitude quake devastated the south-central city of Valdivia, killing 1,655 people and sending a tsunami which battered Easter Island 2,300 miles off Chile's Pacific seaboard and continued as far as Hawaii, Japan and the Philippines.

Editor's note: This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.

Tsunami Triggered Following 8.8 Magnitude Earthquake in Chile
Last Updated on Saturday, 27 February 2010 08:09 Saturday, 27 February 2010 08:03

A massive magnitude 8.8 earthquake has struck the country of Chile, triggering a Tsunami, with its epicenter close to the cities of Chillan and Concepcion, the latter being the second largest city in the country.

The NOAA said; "A tsunami has been generated that could potentially impact the U.S. west coast, British Columbia, and Alaska. The West Coast/Alaska Tsunami Warning Center is investigating the event to determine the level of danger."

Shaking and power outages have also been reported in the Chillean capital of Santiago, which is some 200 miles from the epicenter. The quake struck shortly after 03:30 local time, 06:30 GMT, at a depth of 36.9 miles, which is sufficient enough to trigger a destructive tsunami.

A tsunami warning is in effect for the South American Pacific Coast, stretching up as far as Ecuador, and the authorities of the Hawaiian Islands have been put on alert, although no warnings or watches have been issued so far