Chile Rocked by Huge Earthquake

With a preliminary magnitude of 7.9, later upgraded to 8.3 by the US Geological Survey, the quake occurred approximately 153 miles northwest of the Chilean capital of Santiago, and 4.8 miles below the surface of the Pacific Ocean. There were at least three reported aftershocks measuring above a magnitude 6.  Witnesses described swaying buildings and people seeking safety in the city streets. No injuries have been reported at this time.

Authorities say that some adobe houses have collapsed in the city of Illapel, north of the capital. 

Chilean authorities initially recorded the quake as 7.2.

The US state of Hawaii has reportedly issued a tsunami alert, and tsunami alarms have been sounded in Valparaiso, Chile. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center has warned that "widespread hazardous tsunami waves are possible." Peru is also at risk.

Chile's emergency office predicts that waves could hit the coast by 11 PM. People living in low-lying areas along the shore have ordered to evacuate.

Chile was hit by a magnitute-8.8 earthquake in 2010 that destroyed over 200,000 homes and killed more than 500 people. Situated near the Nazca tectonic plate, Chile also saw the strongest quake ever recorded. With a magnitude of 9.5, that incident occurred in 1960 and killed over 5,000.