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MALAYBALAY CITY (MindaNews / 2 April) – The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said it is monitoring sea-level changes after a strong earthquake hit the coast of northern Chile at 7:47 a.m. (Philippine Standard Time) Wednesday.
In an advisory issued at 8:50 a.m., Phivolcs said the quake had a depth of 10 kilometers with a preliminary magnitude of 8.2.
“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,” it said.
A tsunami warning is in effect for Chile, Peru and Ecuador while a tsunami watch is in effect for Colombia, Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua and El Salvador, Philvocs said.
Tsunami waves were monitored in tide gauges in Peru and Chile with a maximum wave height of 2.11 meters in Pisagua, Chile, it added.
Chile lies on the western side of the Pacific Ocean.
Phivolcs, however, clarified no evacuation order is in effect in the country, although it advised the public to wait and listen for updates.