7.1 quake hits Chile

A magnitude 7.1 quake has hit the coast of Chile, but there are no reports of damage.

The quake, which witnesses said shook buildings in the capital of Santiago, was centered 32km west of the coastal city of Valparaiso at a depth of 33 km below the seabed.

Video from the city shows people evacuating buildings and a tsunami warning blaring across the city. It also shows a fire which had broken out following the quake, with billowing grey smoke rising into the air.

It was initially reported as a 6.7 quake, but that was revised upward.

The quake was also felt in the country's capital Santiago (USGS / Supplied)
The quake was also felt in the country's capital Santiago (USGS / Supplied)

A magnitude 6.7 quake is considered strong and is capable of causing severe damage.

Chile's emergency services office says no damage to infrastructure has been immediately reported and authorities are discounting the possibility of a tsunami.

Chilean authorities did initially order an evacuation of the area, but that was cancelled shortly afterward.

The navy said the tremor hadn't generated conditions likely to lead to a tsunami on Chilean coast.

The US Tsunami Warning Center also said there are no warnings, watches or threats of a tsunami following the quake which hit around 6:30pm (local time).

A witness told Newshub there had been a number of smaller quakes in the past few days. 

The same area felt a magnitude 5.9 quake on Saturday night (local time), which hit 42km west of the major coastal city and at a similar depth. Local media initially reported no reports of  significant damage or injury.

They had been staying at an Airbnb house atop a hill overlooking the central city.

"It was really frightening as the whole house shook, pictures fell off the wall as well as bits of plaster.

"We rushed outside to the courtyard which we thought was a safe area, along with our neighbours."

Chile is no stranger to large earthquakes. In 2010, a magnitude 8.8 quake on the coast of central Chile caused intense shaking for up to three minutes and killed 525 people.

The quake was one of the largest ever recorded.

Reuters / Newshub.