Strong earthquake strikes off Chilean coast, no damage reported
The US Geological Survey reported a magnitude 6.6 earthquake off the coast of Chile on Thursday, no damage was recorded
A magnitude 6.6 earthquake struck off the coast of Chile on Thursday, the United States Geological Survey reported.
The quake was focused 56km southwest of Coquimbo and at a depth of 11km, the USGS said.
There were no initial reports of injuries or damage, though the quake caused buildings in the capital Santiago to sway. Mining operations in Chile, the world’s No1 copper producer, also were not affected, according to initial reports.
The Hawaii-based Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre said the quake was not expected to cause a destructive widespread tsunami, though it could generate local tsunamis that posed a threat along coasts within 100km of the epicentre.
Seismically-active Chile was battered in February 2010 by an 8.8 magnitude quake and ensuing tsunami, which caused billions of dollars in damage and killed hundreds.