6.1-magnitude earthquake rocks northern Chile

Source: Xinhua| 2020-12-07 09:12:46|Editor: huaxia

SANTIAGO, Dec. 6 (Xinhua) -- An earthquake measuring 6.1 on the Richter scale struck the extreme north of Chile on Sunday, causing no casualties or structural damage, local authorities reported.

According to the National Seismological Center, the earthquake occurred at 1:47 p.m. local time (1647 GMT), with an epicenter located 31 km northeast of the town of Pica in Tarapaca, with a depth of 108.1 km.

Shortly after the earthquake was perceived in nearby towns, at 3:08 p.m. local time (1808 GMT), another earthquake measuring 3.3 on the Richter scale was reported near the same area.

The National Office of Emergency of the Interior Ministry indicated in a preliminary report that the first earthquake caused no injuries or damage to infrastructure.

Located on the Pacific Ring of Fire, where about 90 percent of the Earth's earthquakes occur, Chile is considered one of the most seismically active countries on the planet.

Many people in the country still remember the powerful 9.5-magnitude temblor in 1960, which is the strongest earthquake ever recorded in human history. Enditem

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