Chile's geophysical agency put the initial quake's preliminary magnitude at 6.4, while the US Geological Survey reported it at magnitude 7.0. The USGS said a second quake that hit about 10 minutes later and 15 miles away registered a preliminary magnitude of 5.1.
Chilean officials said that after the first strong quake, yesterday, a precautionary evacuation was ordered on the coast around the area where the Arica and Parinacota region adjoins the Tarapaca region.
The USGS said the first quake struck about 4:16 pm (local time) and its epicentre was 37 miles northwest of Iquique, Chile. The second hit at 4:26 pm about 22 miles north-northwest of Iquique, Chile.