The Pacific Tsunami [ Images ] Warning Center has issued a Tsunami alert for Chile and Peru, after an earthquake of 8.8 magnitude struck Chile in the early hours of Saturday.
The extent of damage due to the quake is not known yet.
The tremours being strong could trigger a tsunami, said US authorities.
The US Geological Survey said the quake’s epicenter was near the city of Concepcion, which is close to the country’s capital Santiago.
“An earthquake of this size has the potential to generate a destructive tsunami that can strike coastlines near the epicenter within minutes and more distant coastlines within hours,” the National Weather Service told CNN.com
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