Santiago de Chile  - An earthquake with a magnitude of 6.3 on the Richter scale struck off Chile's northern coast late Thursday, the US Geological Survey said.

No immediate reports about casualties or damage were available.

The quake occurred at 10:08 pm (0208 GMT Friday) off the Tarapaca region, about 1,600 kilometres north of Santiago. Its epicentre was located 80 kilometres north-west of the port town Iquique.

The US Geological survey later revised the magnitude down to 6.0. (dpa)