A 7.2-magnitude aftershock and four other tremors struck Chile, triggering a tsunami alert just minutes before Sebastian Pinera was sworn in as the new president.
The quake was the strongest aftershock of more than 200 that have shaken the South American nation since the massive 8.8-quake of 27 February.
That earthquake led to a tsunami and left almost 500 confirmed dead.
Mr Pinera succeeds the popular Michelle Bachelet and now faces the huge challenge of rebuilding the nation.
The latest aftershock was centred 114kms south of Valparaiso. It caused some to flee in panic from the Chilean parliament as the billionaire tycoon prepared to take over power.
Parliament was evacuated shortly afterwards as Chile still reels from one of the largest earthquakes ever recorded.
The National Emergency Office, sharply criticised for its slow reaction to February's earthquake, swiftly issued a tsunami alert for central areas of Chile, including Valparaiso.
However, the tsunami alert was lifted less than two hours later.
Mr Pinera's first task as president is set to be a visit to the ravaged coastal town of Constitucion.
It was one of the worst hit by last month's quake and the giant waves that followed, which left almost 2m people homeless.
It was not immediately clear whether the latest strong aftershock would alter his plans.
Mr Pinera's January victory spelled an end to the ruling left-wing coalition that has governed Chile since the end of General Augusto Pinochet's dictatorship 20 years ago.
But his presidency will be marked by the aftermath of the quakes.
'We won't be the government of the earthquake, we'll be the government of reconstruction,' Mr Pinera said recently, naming five new governors in each of the worst-hit central regions.
