8.8 magnitude quake strikes coast and central Chile. TSUNAMI warning issued for Chile & Peru, TSUNAMI watch for Ecuador.
Washington - A magnitude-8.8 earthquake struck Saturday near Chile's second-largest city, Concepcion, the US Geological Survey said.
The quake hit at 3:34 am (0634 GMT) in the Pacific, 90 kilometres north-north-east of Concepcion in central Chile or 320 kilometres south-west of Santiago, the agency said. It occurred at a depth of 60 kilometres.
A tsunami warning was issued for Chile's entire coast as well as for its northern neighbour, Peru.
Reports of casualties or damage were not immediately available, but CNN said electricity had gone out in Santiago.
-- Agencies 2010-02-27
UPDATE:
A tsunami has been generated by Chile quake that could impact large areas of Pacific and the U.S. west coast & Alaska.
Update: some buildings collapse in Santiago, phone lines down especially near the epicenter, quake was felt in Argentina
Update 15:46 BKK time: President Michelle Bachelet says 6 deaths confirmed so far after quake, much damage - BNO News
Update: Japan's meterological agancy warned tsunami might be generated in large areas of the Pacific.
-- Source USGS and CNN 2010-02-27
