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Tsunami warning after 8.0 quake strikes off Chile Tsunami warning after 8.2 quake strikes off Chile
(35 minutes later)
An earthquake of 8.0 magnitude has struck off Chile's coast near Iquique, triggering a tsunami warning for all of Latin America's Pacific coast, the US Geological Survey says. An earthquake of 8.2 magnitude has struck off northern Chile, triggering a tsunami warning for all of Latin America's Pacific coastline, the US Geological Survey says.
It said the quake was very shallow, only 10km below the seabed, which would have made it feel stronger. It said the quake was very shallow, only 10km below the seabed, striking 86km (56 miles) north-west of the mining area of Iquique.
It was centred 86km (56 miles) north-west of the mining area of Iquique. There are reports of 2m (6ft) waves heading for the Chilean coastline.
The Chilean authorities have used TV to order the evacuation of coastal areas, urging citizens to escape speedily. Chilean authorities have ordered the speedy evacuation of coastal areas.
A warning from the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said that the coasts of Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Panama, Costa Rica and Nicaragua were all at risk of a tsunami. There are some reports of landslides hitting highways.
It warned that waves of up to 1.92m (6.3ft) could have struck near the town of Pisagua, Chile, within 44 minutes of the quake. A warning from the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (TWC) said that the coasts of Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Panama, Costa Rica and Nicaragua were all at risk of a tsunami.
There have been no reports yet of damage. "Everyone along our coast should be alert and ready," Ecuadoran President Rafael Correa said on Twitter.
The USGS said a quake of this force had the power to generate a "destructive tsunami" for coastlines. The Chilean navy said some high waves had hit the coast within 45 minutes of the quake.
Chilean authorities reportedly registered the quake as 7.9 magnitude. "An earthquake of this size has the potential to generate a destructive tsunami that can strike coastlines near the epicentre within minutes and more distant coastlines within hours," a TWC statement said.
Chile is one of the most seismically active countries in the world.Chile is one of the most seismically active countries in the world.
Central and southern areas of the country were hit by a powerful earthquake of 8.8 magnitude quake followed by a tsunami that devastated scores of towns in February 2010.Central and southern areas of the country were hit by a powerful earthquake of 8.8 magnitude quake followed by a tsunami that devastated scores of towns in February 2010.
Are you affected by the earthquake? Are you in the region where a tsunami warning has been put in place? Please email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with 'Chile' in the subject.Are you affected by the earthquake? Are you in the region where a tsunami warning has been put in place? Please email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with 'Chile' in the subject.
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