Major Aftershocks Rock Chile

6.2, 6.8 jolts hit day after massive earthquake

By Kevin Spak, Newser Staff

Posted Nov 15, 2007 10:50 AM CST

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Major Aftershocks Rock Chile — This picture released by Chile's Navy shows the moment in which a tremor rocks the Aysen fjord, in southern Chile, Saturday, April 21, 2007. A strong earthquake rocked a part of southern Chile that has been hit by hundreds of tremors in the last three months that authorities say may be related to the... (Associated Press)

Northern Chile trembled again today as two strong aftershocks jolted through the region, Reuters reports. No casualties were immediately reported in the wake of the tremors—which registered 6.2 and 6.8, respectively, according to the US Geological Survey—near the mining center of Antofagasta, but residents and emergency workers remained on edge.

The aftershocks were centered 58 miles north of Antofagasta, where President Michelle Bachelet was set to visit today. The quakes have cut power to Chile’s copper mines, some of the world’s largest, causing a 6% jump in copper prices. The president is also to visit two nearby towns, where damage is extensive and two have been reported killed. (More Chile stories.)

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