News / Americas

Strong Earthquake Jolts Peru

TEXT SIZE - +

A strong earthquake has struck northern Peru, with reports of shaking felt more than 500 kilometers southwest in the capital, Lima.

The U.S. Geological Survey says Wednesday's 7.0-magnitude quake was centered north of the jungle city of Pucallpa, near the border with Brazil. The USGS had initially rated the earthquake 6.8.

The quake was registered at a depth of 145 kilometers. The deeper a quake occurs, the less likely it is to be felt or cause destruction.

There were no immediate reports of injuries or damage.

In 2007, a massive 8.0-magnitude quake along Peru's central coast killed at least 540 people and left thousands homeless.

Peru lies near the boundary of two tectonic plates, making the region vulnerable to strong earthquakes.

You May Like

Doctors Without Borders Shuts Clinic in Northern Nigeria

Decision comes after five gunmen hijacked an aid vehicle on Saturday More

Experts Weigh In on Challenges of Closing Guantanamo Prison

Former chief military prosecutor at Guantanamo delivers petition to White House with more than 370,000 signatures, demanding facility be closed down immediately More

Karzai to Discuss Enhancing Defense Ties with India

Afghanistan looking for more military aid as it prepares for withdrawal of NATO forces by next year More

Burmese President Opens US Visit with VOA Town Hall Meeting

Ahead of his meeting with President Obama Monday, Thein Sein answered questions on human rights and economic development in his country More

This forum has been closed.
Comments
     
There are no comments in this forum. Be first and add one

Featured Videos

Your JavaScript is turned off or you have an old version of Adobe's Flash Player. Get the latest Flash player.
Your JavaScript is turned off or you have an old version of Adobe's Flash Player. Get the latest Flash player.
Video

Video Calls Grow For An End to Sexual Assaults in US Military

A recent Pentagon report says the number of sexual assaults among people in the military continues to grow. The estimated number of incidents, ranging from groping to rape, increased by 37 percent last year. Both men and women were victims. This is prompting them, and activists, to push for deep changes in the US military. VOA Pentagon correspondent Luis Ramirez reports.

More Americas News

Video Free Market Reforms Needed to Fix Venezuela's Socialist Economic Problems

High inflation, shortage of staple goods are leading many on both sides of this politically-divided country to question its current economic course
More

Shakespeare's Sonnets Come to Life in New App

Created by Britain's Touch Press, the app features commentary, information, and aims to bring the bard's sonnets to the masses
More

Scientists Ponder Damage to Water System

Scientists meet in Bonn on human effects on freshwater
More

Poor Countries Lack Modern Contraception

Guttmacher Institute says many couples now desire smaller families
More

Indian, Brazilian Nationals Sentenced in US for Human Smuggling

Prosecutors say the two charged Indian citizens up to $60,000 for providing them passage into the United States
More

Former Argentine Dictator Videla Dies in Prison

Rights expert says 'dirty war' secrets die with 87-year-old military junta chief, who was unrepentant to end about kidnappings, killings
More