Medium-intensity earthquake felt in northern Chile

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SANTIAGO.- Residents living in the northern Chilean regions of Arica, Parinacota and Tarapacá where shaken from their sleep this morning by a medium-intensity earthquake.  According to information received by the National Emergency Office (Onemi) from the Regional Civil Protection and Emergency Organization, the quake occurred at 6:10 AM.

The tremor reached an intensity of 6 degrees on the Mercalli scale in Pisagua, Alto Hospicio and Iquique, while registering 5 degrees in the town of Huara; 6 degrees in Pozo Almonte and Camiña; 2 degrees in Pica; 3 degrees in Tocopilla and 2 degrees in Antofogasta.

Information from the Hydrographic and Oceanographic Service (SHOA) of the Chilean Navy places the preliminary epicenter of the tremor 55 kilometers to the northeast of Iquique, measuring a magnitude of 5.2 degrees on the Richter scale.

The Onemi has reported that there have been no victims and structural damage has resulted from the quake.