A tsunami warning has been issued in Peru after a massive 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck.
According to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, some coastal areas were warned to expect waves up to 3 meters (9.8 ft) high, but the warning was later cancelled.
The USGS raised a previous magnitude rating shortly after the quake struck 8.8 kilometers (5.5 miles) from the Atiquipa district.
There were no immediate reports of damage from authorities, but coastal areas were warned to prepare for high waves.
However, the US national tsunami warning center said there was no longer a threat, while Peru’s president said the wave warning had been “dismissed”.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center had earlier said: “Dangerous tsunami waves are forecast for some coastlines,” adding that waves could reach “one to three meters.”
Peru, with some 33 million inhabitants, lies on the so-called Pacific Ring of Fire, a vast zone of intense seismic activity that runs along the west coast of America.
As a result, the country is hit by hundreds of detectable earthquakes each year.
According to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, some coastal areas were warned that waves up to 3 meters (9.8 ft) high were expected, but the warning was later cancelled.
