A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake has struck northern Chile, according to the US Geological Survey.
A powerful 7.7-magnitude quake has hit northern Chile, knocking out power and damaging buildings.
The quake, 60km (37 miles) deep, was centred 106km west of the northern town of Calama and struck at 1240 local time (1540 GMT), the survey said.
The quake, 60km (37 miles) deep, was centred on the village of Quillahua, about 100km north-west of Calama town, said a presidential spokesman.
A presidential spokesman said there had been no initial reports of injuries, the AP news agency reported.
It caused panic and toppled power and phone lines, but there were no early reports of injuries.
US officials warned the quake could trigger a tsunami, but Chilean authorities played down the risk.
US officials warned the quake could trigger a tsunami, but Chilean authorities played down the risk.
"It was horribly strong. It was very long and there was a lot of underground noise," Andrea Riveros, a hotel worker in Calama, told AP.
"It was horribly strong. It was very long and there was a lot of underground noise," Andrea Riveros, a hotel worker in Calama, told news agency AP.
The quake could reportedly be felt strongly in the capital Santiago, 1,260km to the south.
The quake, which struck at 1243 local time (1543 GMT), could reportedly be felt strongly in the capital Santiago, 1,260km to the south.
In the affected region, there were reports of outages of electrical and phone services, but no immediate news of casualties.
Another worker at a hotel close to Calama told AP the hotel felt "like a floating island" during the quake, which knocked down power lines, cracked windows and knocked pieces off of nearby houses.
"I was very frightened. It was very strong. I've never felt one that strong," Paola Barria said.
In the cities of Calama and Arica, panicked residents reportedly ran into the streets.
In the cities of Calama and Arica, panicked residents reportedly ran into the streets.
Presidential spokesman Ricardo Lagos Weber said there had been no initial reports of injuries, AP said.
Tsunami warning
Tsunami warning
"An earthquake of this size has the potential to generate a destructive tsunami that can strike coastlines in the region near the epicentre within minutes to hours," said the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Hawaii.
"An earthquake of this size has the potential to generate a destructive tsunami that can strike coastlines in the region near the epicentre within minutes to hours," said the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Hawaii.
"Authorities in the region should take appropriate action in response to this possibility."
"Authorities in the region should take appropriate action in response to this possibility."
The alert extended to areas "bordering the Pacific Ocean and adjacent seas" off the coasts of Chile and Peru, the centre said.
The alert extended to areas "bordering the Pacific Ocean and adjacent seas" off the coasts of Chile and Peru, the centre said.
But the risk was discounted by Chilean authorities, reports said.
But the risk was discounted by Chilean authorities, reports said.
Two tectonic plates - the Nazca and the South American - clash in this region.
Two tectonic plates - the Nazca and the South American - clash in this region.
In August more than 500 people died when an 8.0 magnitude quake struck neighbouring Peru just south of Lima.
In August more than 500 people died when an 8.0 magnitude quake struck neighbouring Peru just south of Lima.
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