Santiago, November 19 (QNA) - An earthquake measuring magnitude 5.0 on the Richter scale struck on Wednesday western Chile.

The US Geological Survey (USGS) reported that the epicenter of the earthquake was located 131 kilometers west of the city of Lipo in western Chile, at a depth of 10 kilometers. 

There have been no reports of casualties or material damage due to the earthquake so far. 

In 2010, a massive magnitude 8.8 earthquake followed by a tsunami struck central and southern Chile, killing 500 people.

Chile is located in an area called the "Ring of Fire", an arc of faults surrounding the Pacific Ocean basin, and is prone to frequent earthquakes and volcanic activity. (QNA)