Local officials in Chile issued evacuation of the northern coastline after a magnitude 8.2 earthquake struck in the Pacific Ocean Tuesday evening, April 1.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center says a tsunami was generated by the magnitude 8.0 quake and has recorded waves measuring over six feet.
Officials said the tsunami could be destructive along the coasts near the quake’s epicenter, located about 60 miles northwest of the mining town of Iquique, and could also threaten more distant coasts.
The U.S. Geological Survey reported the quake, which hit at at 6:46 p.m. local time, has a depth of 12.5 miles, previously at magnitude at 8.0 and the depth at 6.2 miles.
With the quake, a tsunami warning was in effect for Chile, Peru and Ecuador.
A tsunami watch was also issued for Colombia, Panama and Costa Rica, according to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center.
“Sea level readings indicate a tsunami was generated. It may have been destructive along coasts near the epicenter and could also be a threat to more distant coasts,” the center said in its evaluation.
A tsunami threat to Hawaii still was being evaluated Tuesday by the U.S. National Tsunami Warning Center. The center was also working to determine the level of danger for Alaska, Washington, Oregon and California, as well as Canada’s British Columbia.
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