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6.2 Quake Downs Walls, Cuts Power in Northern Chile

Posted: 9:21 AM May 14, 2012
Reporter: AP

SANTIAGO, Chile (AP) - A magnitude-6.2 magnitude earthquake shook down walls and knocked out electricity in parts of far-northern Chile but no injuries or major damage were reported.

The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake, which occurred at 6 a.m. local time (6 a.m. EDT; 1000 GMT), was centered 66 miles (107
kilometers) northeast of the city of Arica. It was also felt in some regions of Peru and in the Bolivian capital of La Paz, 120 miles (200 kilometers) away.

The Chilean government emergency agency said about 250 people fled into the streets of Arica when the shaking started, but then returned to their homes. Arica's port and airport were functioning normally and Chile's Hydrographic and Oceanographic Service discounted the possibility of a tsunami.

Tarapaca region Gov. Jose Durana said walls fell in some sectors and some roads were blocked by the quake, which also cut power to
more than 3,000 homes in Arica. Power also was cut for a time in the Peruvian city of Tacna.

A magnitude-7.1 quake struck central Chile on March 25 and in 2010, a magnitude-8.8 quake caused a tsunami that obliterated much of the downtown area of the coastal city of Constitucion.