Chile Earthquake Causes 100,000 To Evacuate; 4 Fast Facts About 6.7 Magnitude Quake

Chile's northern Pacific shore was shaken on Sunday with a 6.7-magnitude earthquake that left 100,000 locals evacuated, albeit briefly, for precautionary purposes. The tremor, which struck at 6:16 p.m. at 12 1/2 miles (20 kilometers), only resulted in minor damage. According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the epicenter of Chile's earthquake was 37 miles (60 kilometers) northwest of Iquique, Chile.

The USGS also revealed that strong aftershocks continued after the initial earthquakes, with magnitudes ranging from 4.9 to 5.2. Arica and Parinacota regional director of Chile's ONEMI emergency services office, Franz Schmauck, told state TV that the damages due to the earthquake were minor. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center reported that is no threat of a Pacific-wide tsunami. Ricardo Toro, ONEMI's national director, told reporters that the sea rose close to 13 inches (32 centimeters).

"We had a fright but we're constantly monitoring," said Arica and Parinacota Gov. Emilio Rodríguez, according to the Associated Press.

The evacuation of locals was after Chile's navy concluded that the northern towns of Arica and Tocopilla were at risk of a minor tsunami due to the earthquake. As such, residents along the coast of Chile were urged to evacuate with 80,000 evacuated from the Taracapa region, 3,000 from the Arica and Parinacotta region, and 22,000 from the Antofagasta region. The evacuation alert was lifted by the navy three hours after the quake.

Here are four fast facts about the earthquake:

1. The Chile earthquake took place at 6:16 p.m. on Sunday, Mar. 16.

2. The epicenter of the Chile earthquake was 37 miles (60 kilometers) northwest of Iquique, Chile.

3. The magnitude of the Chile earthquake was 6.7 on the Richter magnitude scale. The aftershocks were reported to have magnitudes ranging from 4.9 to 5.2.

4. One hundred thousand Chileans were evacuated, as a precautionary method, after the Chilean navy concluded there could be a tsunami after the earthquake.