USGS: Magnitude 6.8 quake shakes remote part of west Brazil

RIO DE JANEIRO – A powerful earthquake has shaken western Brazil near its border with Peru, affecting a remote part of the Amazon rainforest. There were no immediate reports of damages.

The U.S. Geological Survey said the magnitude-6.8 quake had an epicenter 55 miles (89 kilometers) west of Tarauaca, Brazil, and 204 miles (329 kms) east of Pucallpa, Peru. It hit at 2:25 p.m. local time and had a depth of 575 kilometers.

Major damages are unlikely because of its depth and remote location.

A powerful 7.1-magnitude quake hit the Peru-Brazil border in August.