[h=2]Strong 7.6-Magnitude Aftershock Jolts Chile
[h=6]By
Mark Leberfinger, AccuWeather.com Staff Writer [h=5]April 03, 2014; 9:38 PM
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The location of the earthquake, (Image/USGS)
Chile and nearby countries are still shaking Wednesday night as aftershocks continue to jolt the region.
The most recent and strongest aftershock yet struck at 7:43 p.m. PDT, 23 km. (14 mi.) south of Iquique, Chile.
Initially, the earthquake was measured as 7.8 magnitude on the Richter Scale, but was eventually downgraded to 7.6. This measurement falls just shy of the main 8.2-magnitude earthquake that struck late Tuesday.
As of Wednesday night, no immediate reports of damage had surfaced. However, the earthquake did prompt a tsunami warning for Chile and Peru.
A precautionary evacuation of low-lying areas on the northern coast was ordered by Chile's Emergency Office, according to the Associated Press.
However, the tsunami warning was canceled at 8:59 p.m. PDT, according to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center.
This area has been on alert recently after a magnitude-8.2 megathrust earthquake struck late on Tuesday off the coast of northern Chile and produced a large tsunami, according to U.S. officials.
The quake, which was at a depth of 6 miles and initially rated as a magnitude 8.0, occurred at 4:47 p.m. PDT, according to the United States Geological Survey. Thirty-six aftershocks have been reported since the major quake, including the recently strong 7.6-magnitude earthquake that struck at 7:43 p.m. PDT Wednesday.
