At approximately 7:45, an earthquake registering 8.0 magnitude, hit off the coast of Arica, Chile according to the United States Geological Survey’s (USGS) Earthquake Hazards Program.

While Chile is a seismically active country due to it’s location along the “ring of fire,” an earthquake of this intensity can cause serious damage.

M8.0 – 99km NW of Iquique, Chile

According to the USGS, “since 1900, numerous magnitude 8 or larger earthquakes have occurred on this subduction zone interface that were followed by devastating tsunamis, including the 1960 M9.5 earthquake in southern Chile, the largest instrumentally recorded earthquake in the world.”

In 2010, an earthquake registering 8.8 on the moment magnitude scale hit off the coast of central Chile causing an estimated $66.7 million in damage, and 525 deaths.

A warning issued after today’s earthquake near Arica indicates that tsunami waves could reach as high as 1.8 meters. There are no immediate reports of injuries or damage, although communication lines appear to have been effected by the event.