One of the largest earthquakes ever recorded tore apart houses, bridges and highways in central Chile and sent a tsunami racing halfway around the world.

AUTHORITIES evacuated hundreds of people from villages in southern Chile on Friday after a snowcapped volcano, dormant for thousands, of years erupted. The blast sent minor earthquakes rippling through the region.

Authorities evacuated hundreds of people from villages in southern Chile after a snowcapped volcano considered dormant for thousands of years erupted, sending minor earthquakes rippling through the region.

People staying near a volcano in Chile were evacuated when it erupted yesterday, officials said.