Peru's Geophysical Institute (IGP) says an earthquake measuring 5.5 on the Richter scale hit Monday evening the coastal region of Ica in southern Peru.
The event struck at 17:55 local time (22:55 GMT) and its epicenter was located at 22 kilometers (13.67 miles) northwest of San Juan de Marcona town, at a depth of 60 kilometers (37.28 miles).
According to IGP, the tremor had an intensity of III-IV on the Modified Mercalli Scale in San Juan de Marcona and III in Nasca city.
Furthermore, IGP's Seismology Director Hernando Tavara ruled out any chance of a tsunami since the quake was not powerful enough to cause one.
According to Civil Defense and local authorities, there have been no reports of damage or injury so far from the quake.
Peru lies in the so-called “Pacific Ring of Fire”, which is the site of 85 percent of global seismic activity caused by friction between shifting tectonic plates.
(END) LIT/RMB
Published: 9/2/2014