A 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck off the west coast of Canada.
It was followed by a 5.8 magnitude aftershock several minutes later and several other aftershocks were also reported.
The quake hit Queen Charlotte Islands after 8 pm local time, Saturday at a depth of about 3 miles (5 kilometes) and was centered 96 miles (155 kilometers) south of Masset, British Columbia.
The quake was felt across much of north and central British Columbia but there were no immediate reports of major damage.
The National Weather Service issued a tsunami warning for coastal areas of British Columbia, southern Alaska and Hawaii.
Vehicles sit on a destroyed motorway in Santiago following a powerful earthquake in southern Chile, Saturday, Feb. 27, 2010. (AP Photo/Carlos Espinoza)
This is the 7th strongest earthquake in the world.
The president of Chile, President Michelle Bachelet said at least two million people were affected and 214 were killed.
The earthquake damaged buildings, roads and bridges.
A collapsed bridge over the Claro river is seen near the town of Camarico, Chile, some 112 miles (180 kilometers ) south of Santiago Saturday, Feb. 27, 2010. An 8.8-magnitude earthquake struck central Chile early Saturday. The quake hit 200 miles (325 kilometers) southwest of the capital and the epicenter was just 70 miles (115 kilometers) from Concepcion, Chile's second-largest city. (AP Photo/Aliosha Marquez)
Houses, offices, hospitals and highways were damaged.
Highway overpasses collapsed on the road and cars were thrown away.
The president declared ‘areas of catastrophe’.
A town named Chillan that was destroyed in the 1939 earthquake is one of the most effected.
Santiago lost electricity, water and telephone services.
Santiago is the capital of Chile.
The Santiago airport is shut down for at least the next 24 hours.
Tsunami waves were reported in the countries around the Pacific Ocean.
Boats were thrown ashore, buildings were damaged and some areas were flooded.
In Talcahuano, Chile the waves were as high as 7.7 feet.
On the island of Juan Fernando the tsunami waves killed 3 people and 10 were missing.
Tsunami activities is reported as far as in Tasmania, Australia.
CNN reported a 9 feet high tsunami may hit Japan and tens of thousands of people has been evacuated.
There have been lots of powerful aftershocks; one with a magnitude of 6.9.
In Argentina a 6.3 magnitude quake killed 2 people in separate towns.
There have been lots and lots of damage in Concepcion.
People walk near a destroyed building in Concepcion, southern Chile, Saturday, Feb. 27, 2010. An 8.8-magnitude earthquake struck central Chile early Saturday. The quake hit 200 miles (325 kilometers) southwest of Santiago, the country's capital, and the epicenter was just 70 miles (115 kilometers) from Concepci
Any way things are not as bad as the aftermath of the 7.0 Haiti earthquake.
I am very sorry for the victims in this natural disaster.
I think we should build high quality buildings with air bags to protect the buildings and people during earthquake.
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