The New Nation - Internet Edition

AFP, Los Angeles

US officials warned Wednesday about a possible Pacific tsunami, after Chile was struck by a 7.7 magnitude earthquake.

The alert by the Hawaii based Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, extended to areas "bordering the Pacific Ocean and adjacent seas" off the coasts of Chile and Peru.

"An earthquake of this size has the potential to generate a destructive tsunami that can strike coastlines in the region near the epicenter within minutes to hours," the center said in a statement.

The strength of the quake was sufficient to cause possible ocean disturbances as far away as Hawaii, officials said.

"Some coastal areas in Hawaii could experience small, non-destructive sea level changes and strong or unusual currents lasting up to several hours," the tsunami monitoring center said.