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2 quakes shake part of Chile's Pacific shoreline

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AP Santiago
Last Updated : Mar 17 2014 | 4:30 AM IST
Two earthquakes struck off Chile's Pacific coast, and Chilean authorities have called for a precautionary evacuation along a stretch of shoreline in case of a tsunami. There were no immediate reports of injuries or damage.
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 Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre later said there did not appear to be a threat of a destructive Pacific-wide tsunami.
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.

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First Published: Mar 17 2014 | 4:30 AM IST

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