16 September 2015 (UTC), Mw 8.3, Off Illapel, Chile Tsunami - Data

The 16 September 2015 magnitude 8.3 Off Illapel, Chile earthquake (31.570°S, 71.654°W, depth 25 km) occurred at 2255 UTC and generated a tsunami that was observed all over the Pacific region and caused damage locally. According to news reports, there were at least 13 dead due to the earthquake ground shaking and more than 1 million persons immediately evacuated in Chile. In February 2010, a magnitude 8.8 Mw located near the central coast of Chile generated a tsunami that caused 156 fatalities.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) issued its 1st advisory information at 2300 UTC, and continued issuing threat information messages for the next 24 hours with the Final message issued at 2305 UTC on September 17. A 4.75 m high tsunami wave was measured on the Coquimbo, Chile sea level gauge, and 1-2 m high waves were measured elsewhere in Chile.The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) issued its 1st advisory information at 2300 UTC, and continued issuing threat information messages for the next 24 hours with the Final message issued at 2305 UTC on September 17. A 4.75 m high tsunami wave was measured on the Coquimbo, Chile sea level gauge, and 1-2 m high waves were measured elsewhere in Chile.

According to the USGS, the 16 September 2015 earthquake occurred as a result of thrust faulting on the interface between the Nazca and South America plates in Central Chile. In the region of the earthquake, the Nazca plate subducts eastward beneath the South American plate at a rate of 65 mm/yr.