Massive 8.2 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Off Chile's Northwest Coast - Nearly 7 Feet High Tsunami Hit Pacific Coast Of South, Central America

April 02, 2014 - CHILE - 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.

USGS earthquake location map.

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 (6.56 feet) had been generated. 

Firefighters try to extinguish a fire on a restaurant by the sea shore after a powerful 8.0-magnitude earthquake hit off Chile's Pacific coast, on April 1, 2014 in Iquique. (AFP Photo / Aldo Solimano)

Chile’s emergency ministry ONEMI said there have been reports of landslides causing some blockage on roads and highways. 

An estimated tsunami time travel map resulting from the Chilean quake

Sources: Reuters, RT