(ETH) – A powerful magnitude 6.8 earthquake has reportedly struck off the coast of Northern Chile at a depth of 22 miles and was centered 48 miles northeast of the Atacama city of Vallenar.
The quake was followed by a magnitude of 6.3 only minutes later and was felt as far south as the capital, Santiago, and in Antofagasta, 826 miles further north. Locals from the region captured video showing windows rattling and items falling to the ground.
Radio stations reported that boulders broke off hills and the electricity was briefly cut off. There have been no immediate reports of casualties or damage from the quakes with the Chilean navy assuring there was no possibility of a tsunami.
Chile is one of many hotspots for earthquakes that are located in the Pacific Ring of Fire that often produces large earthquakes. The last major quake, occurred on Feb. 27, 2010, and set off tsunamis and killed 526 people.
