Magnitude 8.0 earthquake strikes off coast of Chile, triggering destructive tsunami

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CHILE, 2 March 2014 – An earthquake of magnitude 8.0 struck off the coast of Chile, triggering a 2-meter high tsunami. 

According to initial reports, the quake was only 6.2 miles below the seabed and struck at around 6:46 pm local time.

The first tsunami wave hit the Chilean coast within 45 minutes of the quake, says Chilean navy.

The earthquake sparked a tsunami warning for all of South and Central America’s Pacific coast.

The massive earthquake has also caused landslides which are partially blocking roads and highways.

In 2010, an 8.8-magnitude quake triggered a tsunami that caused huge damage in several coastal cities in central and southern Chile. The quake also killed hundreds of people.