6.7-magnitude earthquake rumbles in northern Chile

IQUIQUE, Chile, March 17 (UPI) -- A 6.7-magnitude earthquake that hit the Pacific Coast of northern Chile prompted precautionary evacuations from low-lying shore areas, officials said.

The U.S. Geological Survey said the epicenter of the quake, which struck at a depth of 12.4 miles about 4:16 p.m. local time Sunday, was 37 miles west-northwest of Iquique, 102 miles south-southwest of Arica and 152 miles north of Tocopilla. The shaker, originally reported as magnitude-7 occurred about 286 miles southwest of La Paz, Bolivia and 134 miles south of Tacna, Peru, the USGS said.

The International Business Times said there were no immediate reports of damage or injuries, and that operations at Chile's copper mines had not been affected.