Earlier this afternoon an 8.3 magnitude quake struck just off the the coast of Chile, approximately 34 miles west of the city of Illapel reports the United States Geological Survey.
So far the Chilean Emergency Agency has issued a tsunami alert for Chile, Ecuador, Peru, and the Pacific Islands including Hawaii. Recent reports are saying that areas of the California coastline are currently under tsunami advisory. Officials are currently evacuating coastlines that lie in the path of potential tsunamis.
As of now, waves are measuring just above 10ft. according to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center.
https://instagram.com/p/7taQaZExjF/?taken-by=skichef
So far, reports are saying that many of the ski areas just outside of Santiago were rattled by the quake. That said, things seem to be calming down and the U.S. Ski Team as well as professional Chris Davenport are well and accounted for.
While you watch #GOPDebate Don't forget that Chile has been struck by 8.3 magnitude Earth quake! Tsunami expected pic.twitter.com/AZbnlr5Mbv
— Dr Farhan K Virk (@FarhanKVirk) September 17, 2015
In Santiago, buildings swayed back and forth and two deaths have been reported thus far.
All U.S. Ski Team athletes training in @Valle_Nevado and @SkiPortillo are safe/accounted for after the earthquake in Chile.
— U.S. Ski & Snowboard Team (@usskiteam) September 17, 2015
Our thoughts are with the country of Chile and those lost in the earthquake.