Tsunami warning after quake strikes off Chile
Yahoo! and agencies April 2, 2014, 12:30 pm
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Chile has requested an evacuation of its northern coastline after a magnitude 8.3 earthquake was suspected to have triggered a tsunami off the Chilean coast, with waves already hitting the coastline.
A tsunami warning has been issued for Chile, Peru, Colombia, Panama and Ecuador and a tsunami watch is also in effect for Costa Rica, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico and Honduras.
Earlier, the earthquake had been categorised as magnitude 8.0, but that had since been upgraded.
CNN reported Chilean Deputy Interior Minister Mahmud Aleuy as saying a small landslide had been caused by the quake, but there were no early reports of deaths or major damage.
Alabama seismograph captured M8.2 Chile earthquake. Photo: Twitter
The earthquake, of magnitude 8.3, struck off the coast of Chile on Tuesday, sparked a tsunami warning for all of South and Central America's Pacific coast, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said.
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The latest tremor also shook buildings in parts of the nearby nations of Bolivia and Peru. Waves measuring almost 2 meters (6 ½ feet) already were striking cities on the northern coast.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued an alert for all of Latin America's Pacific coast.
The US Geological Survey (USGS) says the quake was very shallow, only 10 km below the seabed, which would have made it feel stronger. It was centred 86 km northwest of Iquique.
A photo of waves reaching a port city in northern Chile. Photo: Supplied
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre said the wave has been measured at 1.7 to 1.9 metres.
"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," it said.
"Authorities should take appropriate action in response to this possibility."
The Australian Bureau of Meteorology says there is no tsunami danger for Australia or New Zealand.
Chile is one of the most seismically active countries in the world, and a large earthquake has long been expected in the north of the country.
Locals sit on the street following a tsunami alert after a powerful 8.0-magnitude earthquake hit off Chile's Pacific coast. Photo: AAP.
In February 2010, central and southern Chile were hit by a powerful earthquake of 8.8-magnitude followed by a tsunami that devastated dozens of towns.
The quake left more than 500 dead and $30 billion in damage to infrastructure.
A volcano in Peru that has not erupted in four decades spewed more ash skyward, after authorities evacuated villagers.
A man stares at a restaurant by the sea shore burning after a powerful 8.0-magnitude earthquake hit off Chile's Pacific coast. Photo: AAP.
Volcano Ubina in southwestern Peru blasted back to life causing about 60 villagers from Querapi, near its base, to be relocated on Saturday.
Peru's geological and mining agency (Ingemmet) said lava had been building up in recent weeks, and warned locals they should prepare for the possibility of more evacuations.
Locals take refuge at the city stadium following a tsunami alert. Photo: AAP.
Chile mines dodge earthquake damage
Mines in world No. 1 copper producer Chile appear to have emerged unscathed from the major quake.
Chile's Collahuasi copper mine and port have not reported any problems so far following the 8.2-magnitude earthquake, Chief Executive Officer Jorge Gomez told Reuters.
A joint venture led by Anglo American and Glencore Xstrata, Collahuasi was one of the big mines closest to the epicenter.
State copper miner Codelco and London-listed Antofagasta both said their mines were functioning normally.
A large eathquake has struck off the coast of Chile, sparking a tsunami warning. Photo: 7News
Still, world No.1 copper producer Codelco said it had evacuated workers from its Ventanas smelting and refinery operation due to a government-ordered tsunami evacuation order.
There were also lingering questions about whether export-dependent Chile's ports might be damaged, which would harm metal shipments.
"I would expect the largest danger is to infrastructure, namely ports and roads, which could obviously affect exports," said Morgan Stanley analyst Joel Crane in Melbourne.
Benchmark London Metal Exchange (LME) copper prices jumped to $US6,728.75 a tone.
Traders however said it was a kneejerk reaction and further gains were likely to be dampened by ample supply and slow demand in China.
