A 5.9-MAGNITUDE earthquake struck northern Chile on Saturday, the
US Geological Survey said.
The quake hit just before 7am local time and was located 177
kilometers southeast of Arica at a depth of 83.3km, but there were
no immediate reports of damage following the tremor, the Chilean
emergency office ONEMI said.
On March 6, a strong, 6.2-magnitude earthquake hit the same
region, sparking fear, but no significant damage or victims.
And in February, the area was hit by a series of quakes, with six
temblors over a four-day period, including a 6.6-magnitude
earthquake on February 14.
All six tremors occurred in the same area heavily damaged by an
8.8-magnitude quake a year ago.
The city of Concepcion was the hardest hit and has become a symbol
of the tragedy. That disaster resulted in more than 500 deaths and
$US30 billion ($28.8 billion) in damage, and led to an inquiry
over the lack of a timely tsunami warning.