NorCal Escapes Tsunami Threat from Massive Chilean Earthquake

By PAIGE AUSTIN (Patch Staff) & BEA KARNES (Patch Staff)

A powerful 8.3 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Chile this evening prompting a tsunami watch for parts of the Pacific, including Hawaii.

The US Geological Survey in Menlo Park says the watch does not include the California coast.

Richard Allen, director of the UC Berkeley Seismological Lab, reports that the ocean sensor closest to the quake measured a sex meter wave. That converts to nearly 20 feet tall. He also noted that the wave should lessen in height as it travels across the ocean.

The quake has triggered several large aftershocks of a 6.0 magnitude and greater, and authorities continue to update the tsunami threat.