a powerful earthquake jolts northern Peru and Ecuador.

A strong earthquake with its epicenter off Ecuador shook northern Peru and much of Ecuador Saturday, authorities said. The 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck 52 miles (85 kilometers) northeast of the Peruvian city of Zarumilla, near the border with Ecuador. Hernando Tavera, head of Peru's seismic institute, told RPP radio that the epicenter was off the coast of Ecuador's largest city Guayaquil. There is no significant damage to buildings or people.