The Associated Press is reporting that an earthquake with a magnitude of 8.3 has struck the Chilean capital of Santiago. The country of Chile is on the west coast of South America.

According to the Associated Press article:

The U.S. Geological Survey initially reported the quake at a preliminary magnitude of 7.9 but quickly revised the reading upward to 8.3. U.S. officials said the quake struck just offshore in the Pacific at 7:54 p.m. (6:54 p.m. EDT, 1154 GMT) and was centered about 141 miles (228 kilometers) north-northwest of Santiago. It said the quake was 4.8 miles (5 kilometers) below the surface.

Chile is in an area of the world that is prone to earthquakes. The Associated Press article reminds that in 2010:

A magnitude-8.8 quake and ensuing tsunami in central Chile in 2010 killed more than 500 people, destroyed 220,000 homes, and washed away docks, riverfronts and seaside resorts. That quake released so much energy, it actually it shortened the Earth’s day by a fraction of a second by changing the planet’s rotation.

Large waves could begin to be felt on the Chilean coast by about 11:00 p.m. edt.