The quake, initially reported as a magnitude 6.0, struck at 6 p.m. (2100 GMT).
Local emergency services said the tremor was felt strongly in the northern Atacama desert, and they were assessing whether it had caused any damage. The navy said it was not issuing a tsunami alert.
A spokesman for Chilean state copper producer Codelco said there were no reports of any damage at its mines in the area.
Chile, located on the so-called Pacific ring of fire, is prone to earthquakes and has strict building codes that limit damage when they occur.
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