Chilean Earthquake Triggers Copper Smelter Fire

A magnitude 6.8 earthquake in northern Chile Wednesday morning left a copper smelter in flames among other damage.

The US Geological Survey said the epicenter of the earthquake was about 62 kilometers southwest of San Pedro de Atacama, close to several large copper mines.

Flames broke out at about 3:40 a.m. at a copper smelting and concrete plant south of Antofagasta. Several nearby towns lost power during the quake.

In May 1960, a quake regarded as the most powerful recorded in the 20^th century struck off the Chilean coast. More than 1,500 people died from the earthquake and the resulting tsunami.