6.7 earthquake strikes off Chile's Pacific coast

By CNN Staff
updated 6:55 PM EDT, Sun March 16, 2014

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

  • NEW: A tsunami was generated, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center says
  • Residents move to higher ground as tsunami alerts sound
  • Officials say there's no widespread destructive tsunami threat
  • The quake's epicenter was 35 kilometers from Iquique, Chile


(CNN) -- A 6.7-magnitude earthquake struck off Chile's Pacific coast Sunday, the U.S. Geological Survey said.

The quake's epicenter was 60 kilometers (37 miles) west-northwest of Iquique, Chile, and its depth was 20 kilometers (12.4 miles), the USGS said.

There were no immediate reports of damages or injuries, but local emergency officials activated a precautionary tsunami warning along the coast and urged residents to move to higher ground, regional emergency official Juan Basaez told CNN Chile.

Sea level readings in the area indicate a tsunami was generated,the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said, but there isno widespread destructive tsunami threat.

The center warned of possible destruction on the coast within 200 kilometers (124 miles) from the quake's epicenter.

 http://www.cnn.com/2014/03/16/world/...le-earthquake/