LIMA: A powerful earthquake measuring 7.2 on the Richter Scale struck off the coast of central Peru on Friday, said the United States Geological Survey (USGS).
However, according to USGS a tsunami threat from the tremor has passed. The USGS said the tremor struck 8.8 kilometers from Atiquipa district.
The USGS said that massive shaking from the quake would have been felt in areas near the epicenter.
Earlier, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre had warned of hazardous tsunami waves for some coasts but later said the threat had passed. There were no immediate reports of material or personal damage.
The decision not to activate the tsunami warning system was based on assessments by government scientists who determined that there was no immediate threat of a tsunami following the earthquake.
Peru, with some 33 million inhabitants, is situated on the Pacific Ring of Fire, a large area of intense seismic activity that runs along the west coast of the Americas. Peru is hit by hundreds of earthquakes every year.
