The quake struck at 1 p.m. local time and was felt across several southern regions including Ica and Arequipa.

Peru's Geophysical Institute put the magnitude at 7.2, differing from the USGS figure of 6.7. Initial magnitude estimates commonly diverge depending on the network and method used.

No immediate damage was reported. Intermediate-depth events below 60 km tend to produce less surface damage than shallow quakes of the same magnitude.

Peru sits where the Nazca plate subducts beneath the South American plate, a frequently seismic zone within the Pacific Ring of Fire.

In mountainous areas, washed-out roads and communications outages can delay confirmation of damage, so early reports are an incomplete basis for judgement.

Assessments may change with follow-up surveys by local authorities.