Quake, 6.3, Shakes Chile, No Damage Reported

Buildings in the Chilean capital shook for around a minute with a second tremor felt some 10 minutes later.

 A 6.3 magnitude quake struck along central Chile's coast on Thursday, the U.S. Geological Survey said, causing tall buildings to sway in the capital Santiago 92 miles (148 km) away.

The quake hit just offshore, 47 miles (75 km) north of the port of Valparaiso, and at a depth of 21.7 miles (35 km), the USGS said after initially reporting the quake's magnitude at 6.1.

"There are no reports of damage or any serious problems because of this quake," Carmen Fernandez, head of Chile's state emergency office ONEMI, told local radio. "It is part of normal seismic activity."

Buildings in the Chilean capital shook for around a minute, Reuters witnesses said, with a second tremor felt some 10 minutes later.

The USGS said an aftershock, measuring 5.9, was more shallow, with a depth of 5.6 miles (9 km) and was centered just a couple of miles (km) closer to Valparaiso.

Earthquakes are common in mining powerhouse Chile, where modern buildings are designed to resist their impact.