A magnitude 5.8 earthquake struck Chile on Tuesday evening, according to seismologists. Strong shaking was reported near the epicenter area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The earthquake occurred at 6:17 p.m. local time, with its epicenter located 14 miles southwest of La Serena, in the Coquimbo region of Chile, and at a depth of 33 miles, according to Chile’s seismological service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Chilean National Disaster Prevention and Response Service (SENAPRED) reported strong shaking across the epicentral area, including in the cities of Coquimbo, Ovalle, and La Serena.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some residents took to social media, describing the quake as alarming and fearing it was the precursor to a larger earthquake.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lighter shaking was reported more than 200 miles away in Santiago, Chile\u2019s capital. However, no significant impacts or damage are expected from the earthquake.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Chile is located along the Pacific Ring of Fire, a seismically active region. The country experienced the largest earthquake ever recorded in May 1960, when a magnitude 9.5 quake and subsequent tsunami killed thousands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n