Australia on tsunami warning following massive 8.8-magnitude earthquake in Chile

Australia on tsunami watch following Chile quake

SYDNEY — Australia has been put on a tsunami watch following a massive 8.8-magnitude earthquake that struck off the coast of Chile.

The Joint Australian Tsunami Warning Center issued a tsunami warning Saturday night for a “potential tsunami threat” to New South Wales state, Queensland state, Lord Howe Island and Norfolk Island. Any potential wave would not hit Australia until Sunday morning local time, it said.

The Bureau of Meteorology says a tsunami has been observed off the coast of Chile that may threaten Australia.

The earthquake struck early Saturday in central Chile, shaking the capital for a minute and a half.