Central Chile hit by 6.9-magnitude quake — USGS

A star marks the epicenter of the magnitude 6.9 earthquake that hit Chile on Monday, April 24, 2017. US GEOLOGICAL SURVEY MAP

Updated @ 7:40 a.m., April 25, 2017, to include earthquake magnitude correction.

Originally posted @ 6:35 a.m., April 25, 2017.

SANTIAGO, Chile — A strong 6.9-magnitude earthquake rattled central Chile on Monday, US geologists said.

The quake, which struck at 6:30 pm (2130 GMT), was centered off the coast of the resort city of Valparaiso and had a depth of 9.8 kilometers (about six miles), according to the US Geological Survey.

The USGS originally said the quake measured 7.1, but later downgraded it.

READ: Magnitude 5.1 quake hits Surigao del Sur

Authorities urged residents to evacuate coastal areas as a precaution against a possible tsunami.

Chile lies on what is known as the “Ring of Fire” — an arc of fault lines that circles the Pacific Basin and is prone to frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.

The north of the country was struck by an 8.3-magnitude temblor followed by a tsunami in September 2015, killing 15 people.

In 2010, a quake measuring 8.8 in magnitude was also followed by a tsunami. It struck the center and south of the country, killing more than 500 people. CBB