6.4-magnitude earthquake rocks northern Chile
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Xinhua, June 21, 2011
An earthquake measuring 6.4 on the Richter scale struck northern Chile on Monday, but so far no damage or serious injuries have been reported, authorities said.
The Seismological Service of the University of Chile reported that the earthquake occurred at 12:35 p.m. local time (1635 GMT), with its epicenter near the borders with Peru and Bolivia.
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) said the tremor has a magnitude of 6.5.
Chile's National Emergency Office said the earthquake was felt most intensely near the cities of Iquique and Alto Hospicio. Local media reported that there was alarm among locals in the city of Calama and mobile phone networks were saturated with calls.
An 8.8-magnitude earthquake rocked central Chile in February 2010, causing widespread damage and claiming more than 500 lives.
