5.9 ’quake strikes off Peru coast

A strong 5.9-magnitude earthquake rocked the coast of central Peru early yesterday, US geologists said, but there were no reports of damage or tsunami warnings issued.

The quake, which struck some 15 kilometres from Chincha Alta in central Chincha Province, south of the capital Lima, was measured at a depth of 48 kilometres, said the United States Geological Survey.

Peru’s Civil Defence said there were no reports of injuries or damage to buildings, but reported the 30-second quake prompted shaken residents in nearby cities Pisco, Ica and Chincha to filter onto the streets at 3 a.m. local time.

Pisco has been hit by moderate earthquakes since August 2007, when a massive 7.9-magnitude earthquake left some 80 per cent of the city damaged and over 500 people dead.

The Geophysical Institute of Peru put the quake at 5.7 on the Richter scale and calculated it to be at a depth 65 kilometres.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center did not issue an advisory for the quake.