Strong Earthquake Shakes Peru

Posted August 24th, 2011 at 4:05 pm (UTC-5)
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A strong earthquake has struck northern Peru, with reports of shaking felt more than 500 kilometers southwest in the capital, Lima.

The U.S. Geological Survey says Wednesday's 7.0 magnitude quake was centered north of the jungle city of Pucallpa, near the border with Brazil. The USGS had initially rated the earthquake 6.8.

The quake was registered at a depth of 145 kilometers. The deeper a quake occurs, the less likely it is to be felt or cause destruction.

There were no immediate reports of injuries or damage.

In 2007, a massive 8.0-magnitude quake along Peru's central coast killed at least 540 people and left thousands homeless.

Peru lies near the boundary of two tectonic plates, making the region vulnerable to strong earthquakes.