A strong 6.1-magnitude earthquake shook central and northern Chile on Wednesday, but there were no immediate reports of damage or injuries, the National Emergency Office said. The quake hit at 1902 GMT with an epicenter near the town of La Higuera, about 500 kilometers (310 miles) north of the capital.

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) located near Washington said the quake measured 6.1 on the Moment magnitude scale.

In February 2010, a massive earthquake hit Chile's central Maule region, south of Valparaiso, generating tsunami waves, killing more than 500 people and causing billions of dollars in damage.

Chile sits on what geologists call the Pacific "Ring of Fire" due to its intense seismic activity.