Large earthquake strikes off coast of Chile, tsunami warning issued
The 8.2 magnitude quake struck Tuesday evening, sparking fears of a tsunami in coastal South American cities near the quake, off northern Chile.
ALDO SOLIMANO/AFP/Getty Images A man stares at a restaurant by the sea shore burning after a powerful 8.2-magnitude earthquake hit off Chile's Pacific coast, on April 1, 2014 in Iquique. An 8.2 magnitude earthquake Tuesday evening off the northern coast of Chile has prompted a tsunami warning for several coastal South and Central American countries.
The large quake struck just before 9 p.m. local time about 60 miles off the coast of Iquique, Chile.
Sea level readings immediately after the quake showed it did generate a tsunami, the National Weather Service said in a bulletin.
An earthquake with magnitude 8.2 occurred near Iquique, Chile at just before 9 p.m. local time on Tuesday evening. 
"It may have been destructive along costs near the earthquake epicenter and could also be a threat to more distant coasts," the bulletins reads. "Authorities should take appropriate action in response to this possibility."
The Chilean government reported no serious damage or reports of casualties about two hours after the tremor, which produced aftershocks of magnitude-6.2 and 5.5.
The National Weather Service issued tsunami warnings and watches coastal cities in Chile, Peru, Educador, Colombia, Nicaragua, Panama and Costa Rica.
The tremor was also felt in Bolivia and Peru, and 6-foot waves have reportedly already hit the Chilean coast.
The quake was only 6.2 miles below the seabed, meaning it felt stronger because it was so shallow.
There was no immediate report of injuries or damage, but residents along Latin America's Pacific coast were evacuating as a precaution.
A magnitude 6.2 earthquake struck in nearly the exact same place on March 22. That quake, some 7.1 miles below the seabed, didn't produce a tsunami.
Iquique is a copper-exporting port in northern Chile, one of the most earthquake-prone regions in the world.
A 2010 quake killed some 500 people and sent a tsunami onto Chile's coast, destroying 220,000 homes.
With News Wire Services
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