Massive 7.1 Magnitude Earthquake Shakes Chile's Capital

© USGS ScreenshotChile Earthquake
Chile Earthquake - Sputnik International
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A huge earthquake was detected on Monday near Santiago, Chile, according to the US Geological Survey.

The quake was initially estimated at a magnitude of 6.7, but it has since been upgraded to 7.1 magnitude. A magnitude 7 earthquake releases 2 petajoules of energy. Severe damage may be imminent, as quakes registering this high in magnitude are considered extremely forceful. 

A witness said that buildings near the capital were shaking from the quake. It occurred off the nation's west coast. 

Seismograph - Sputnik International
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The earth originated 10 kilometers below the seabed just outside the coastal city of Valparaiso. The quake initially led Chilean officials to declare a tsunami warning in some coastal cities and ordered an evacuation from Valparaiso and O'Higgins, but the mandate was later lifted. 

The seismic phenomena was registered at 6:39 pm local time. 

Valparaiso has a population of 238,000 while more than 4.8 million call Santiago home. 

On Sunday, a 5.9 magnitude quake occurred very close to the epicenter of Monday's earthquake in the offshore Valparaiso region. 

In 2010, a separate earthquake measuring 8.8 in magnitude preceded a tsunami that killed over 500 people in Chile.

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