Magnitude 6.7 quake hits Chile, no damage reported

SANTIAGO - A strong earthquake struck central-northern Chile on Wednesday, shaking buildings as far away as the capital, Santiago, but there were no immediate reports of damage or injuries, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and local officials said.

The 6.7-magnitude quake struck at a depth of 29.5 miles (47.5 km), 63 miles (101 km) southwest of mining town Copiapo and 370 miles (596 km) north of capital Santiago, the USGS said.

It hit well south of where world No.1 copper producer Chile's massive metal deposits are located and Chile's emergency office said there were no preliminary reports of damage.

The navy said the quake did not meet the conditions needed to generate a tsunami off the country's Pacific coastline.

Nearly three years ago, a massive 8.8-magnitude earthquake and ensuing tsunami ravaged central-southern Chile, killing hundreds of people and causing billions of dollars worth of damage.

A man sweeps debris in a building after an earthquake at Copiapo City, Atacama, Chile, on Jan 30, 2013. A 6.7-magnitude earthquake hit Chile at 4:15 am Thursday (Beijing Time), according to the China Earthquake Networks Center. The epicenter was monitored at 28.1 degrees south latitude and 70.8 degrees west longitude with a depth of 30 km.[Photo/Xinhua]