Living in Peru : your everyday companion

(LIP-ir) -- A powerful 6.1-magnitude earthquake, which was felt in Peru's Tacna and Arequipa regions, struck northern Chile on Monday at 4:39 p.m., said the U.S. Geological Survey.

According to Peru's Geophysical Institute (IGP), even though there were no immediate reports of damage, citizens in Peru's southern regions were alarmed by the strong seismic movement and immediately exited their homes and business establishments seeking safe places to stand.

The quake's intensity was registered at III and IV on the Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale in Tacna and at a II in the province of Ilo.

It was reported that the earthquake's epicenter was at a depth of more than 120km (74 miles) and 145km (90 miles) east of the coastal city of Iquique.

Although mining companies in Peru and Chile reported that there were not initial damages, miners in Chile's copper-rich region said they felt the quake.

Chile's disaster agency (ONEMI) also reported that there were no reports of damage or power disruptions.

This is the second quake felt today in Peru. The first was a magnitude-3.9 on the Richter scale and was registered at 12:06 a.m. in the provinces of Pisco and Chincha.