U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY  NATIONAL EARTHQUAKE INFORMATION CENTER World Data Center for Seismology, Denver  Reply to: sedas@neis.cr.usgs.gov or neic@usgs.gov  The following is a release  by  the  United  States  Geological  Survey, National  Earthquake  Information  Center:   A major earthquake occurred NEAR THE COAST OF SOUTHERN PERU,  about  120  miles  (190  km)  west  of Arequipa  or  about  375 miles (600 km) southeast of Lima at 2:33 PM MDT today, Jun 23, 2001  (3:33  PM  local  time  in  Peru).
A  PRELIMINARY MAGNITUDE  OF  7.9  WAS COMPUTED FOR THIS EARTHQUAKE.
The magnitude and location may be  revised  when  additional  data  and  further  analysis results  are  available.
No  reports of damage or casualties have been received  at  this  time;  however,  this  earthquake  may  have  caused substantial damage and casualties due to its location and size.
EDIS-06-23-01 1523 PDT

[EDIS]  EQ MAG 7 9 NEAR COAST OF PERU [News: Statewide]