6.5 magnitude quake strikes north of Chile

A 6.5 magnitude earthquake has struck the Antofagasta region of northern Chile this morning, however there have been no reports of damage or injuries.

The tremor struck at 12.35pm local time (3.35am NZT), at a depth of 111km and was located 89km northeast of the city of Calama, a city of 100,000 people, the United States Geological Survey said.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre has not issued a tsunami warning, however said earthquakes of this size can create localised tsunami along coasts near the epicentre.

There have been no reports of damage to the region's copper mines, which produce a third of the world's copper, Reuters reported.

- NZ Herald staff