USGS: Strong 6.5-magnitude earthquake shakes central Chile
SANTIAGO, Chile - A strong and prolonged earthquake of magnitude 6.5 has shaken central Chile. Authorities have ordered a preventative evacuation of parts of the coastline.
The U.S. Geological Survey says the quake's epicenter was 30 miles (48 kilometres) northeast of Valparaiso, Chile, and it had a depth of 15.5 miles (25 kilometres). It struck at just before midnight local time (3:50 Tuesday GMT).
Residents say the quake was felt for almost a minute.
Authorities say the evacuation was ordered from the city of Constitucion to Tongoy.
Chile's oceanography service discounted the possibility of a tsunami.