LIMA, Aug 15 (Reuters) - A powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 7.7. struck Peru on Wednesday shaking buildings in the capital and causing electrical power failures in some areas, the U.S. Geological Survey and eyewitnesses said.

The major quake, 20 miles (33 km) west of Chincha Alta, was a shallow 11.2 miles (18 km) from the earth's surface, the USGS said.

The quake rocked Lima, which is about 100 miles (161 km) away, in the early evening.

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