SANTIAGO, Chile – An earthquake with an initial magnitude of 6. 8 shook the coast of northern Chile in the early minutes of Tuesday, the U. S. Geological Survey announced.
There were no immediate reports of casualties or injuries and the Chilean army said there is no tsunami option.
The earthquake occurred at 12:09 am local time with an intensity of 35 kilometers (22 miles). It focused 78 kilometers (48 miles) northeast of the town of Atacama de Vallenar. A few minutes later, a momentary earthquake occurred with an initial magnitude of 6. 3.
The quake was felt as far south as the capital, Santiago, and Antofagasta, 1,330 kilometers (826 miles) further north.
The video for the scene showed damn windows and elements falling to the ground, local radio stations reported that the rocks were detached from the hills and electricity was soon cut off.
Chile is located in the so-called Pacific Ring of Fire and reports giant earthquakes. The last primary earthquake, on 27 February 2010, caused tsunamis and killed 526 people.