A magnitude 5.9 earthquake struck Chile today, causing no damage or casualties, according to AFP, citing the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).
The quake occurred at 6.59 local time (13:59, GMT), 135 kilometers northeast of the city Iquaique, according to USGS. Buildings were shaken, causing fears that a strong earthquake might happen again.
American Geological Institute classifies earthquakes on a moment-magnitude scale, open-ended.
On February 27, 2010, 524 people died after a powerful earthquake followed by tsunami. More than 220,000 families were left homeless at that time. In 1960, Chile was struck by the strongest earthquake ever recorded, a magnitude of 9.5, resulting in 5,700 casualties.