Valparaiso, Chile - A powerful 7.2 magnitude earthquake rocked central Chile Thursday, including the cities of Santiago and Valparaiso where a new president was to be sworn in, authorities said.

The US Geological Survey said the quake was centered 114km south of Valparaiso.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said there was no threat of a "destructive widespread tsunami."

People felt the earth shake in Valparaiso shortly before Sebastian Pinera was to be sworn in as president before the Chilean parliament.