Magnitude 7.2 quake shakes southern Peru

LIMA-- A magnitude 7.2 earthquake shook Peru's southern region of Ayacucho on Thursday afternoon, with no immediate reports of casualties or damage, authorities said.

According to the Geophysical Institute of Peru, the quake struck at 1 pm local time. Its epicenter was 35 km north of Coracora, in Parinacochas province, at a depth of 108 km.

The institute said the quake had an intensity of III-IV in Coracora.

Peru's National Emergency Operations Center said the tremor was felt as moderate to strong in several departments, and authorities were monitoring vulnerable areas.

The National Institute of Civil Defense urged residents to remain calm, move to safe areas according to family evacuation plans, follow official instructions and keep emergency supplies ready.

Peru lies on the Pacific Ring of Fire, where about 85 percent of the world's seismic activity is recorded.