A 7.3 magnitude earthquake shook northern Chile and parts of Peru and Bolivia on Thursday night, with no immediate reports of damage or casualties and no tsunami warnings issued.
The earthquake, with its epicentre around the Salar de Atacama, near San Pedro de Atacama, at a depth of 126 kilometres, occurred at 1:50 GMT, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) said.
Chile’s National System for Disaster Prevention and Response (Senapred), which also put the magnitude at 7.3 and 20 kilometers south of San Pedro de Atacama, said the quake does not reverse the risk of generating a tsunami on the country’s coasts.
The quake was also recorded in the southern regions of Tacna and Arequipa in Peru, causing alarm among the population. So far, no personal or material damage has been reported in those regions, although residents stated on social media that it was also felt in Arequipa, a region neighbouring Tacna and with a larger number of inhabitants.
In Bolivia, press reports indicated that the earthquake was felt in Sucre and other cities in the country.
The San Calixto Observatory reported that the tremor was felt in several regions of Bolivia including Cochabamba, Sucre, Santa Cruz and Tarija, local newspaper Correo del Sur said.
“In the city of Santa Cruz, people ran out of buildings into the streets after feeling the earthquake in the northern part of the capital of Santa Cruz,” reported the local Bolivian newspaper Los Tiempos.
#magnitude #earthquake #shakes #northern #Chile
2024-09-07 23:17:08
Table of Contents
Recent 7.3 Magnitude Earthquake in Northern Chile and its Impact on the Region
On Thursday night, a powerful 7.3 magnitude earthquake struck northern Chile, with its epicenter located around the Salar de Atacama, near San Pedro de Atacama, at a depth of 126 kilometers [[2]]. The earthquake, which occurred at 1:50 GMT, was felt not only in Chile but also in parts of Peru and Bolivia, causing widespread alarm among the population.
Fortunately, there were no immediate reports of damage or casualties, and no tsunami warnings were issued by authorities. Chile’s National System for Disaster Prevention and Response (Senapred) confirmed that the quake did not pose a risk of generating a tsunami on the country’s coasts.
The impact of the earthquake was felt in the southern regions of Tacna and Arequipa in Peru, where residents reported feeling the tremors. While there were no reports of personal or material damage in these regions, the quake caused significant alarm among the population.
Chile’s History of Earthquakes
Chile is no stranger to powerful earthquakes. In fact, the country has a long history of devastating earthquakes, including the 1960 Chile earthquake, which is considered one of the largest earthquakes in recorded history [[3]]. The earthquake, which had a magnitude of 9.5, struck on May 22, 1960, and caused widespread destruction and loss of life.
More recently, in 2010, a massive earthquake with a magnitude of 8.8 struck off the coast of central Chile, triggering a tsunami that caused widespread destruction and loss of life [[1]]. The earthquake, which occurred on February 27, 2010, was one of the largest in recent history, and its impact was felt as far away as Hawaii and Japan.
Seismic Activity in the Region
The recent 7.3 magnitude earthquake in northern Chile is a reminder of the region’s high seismic activity. The earthquake occurred as a result of normal faulting at an intermediate depth within the Earth’s crust [[2]]. The region’s unique geology, which is characterized by the intersection of several tectonic plates, makes it prone to powerful earthquakes.
In recent years, there have been several significant earthquakes in the region, including a 7.4 magnitude earthquake that occurred on July 19, 2024, near Atacama, Chile [[2]]. The earthquake, which occurred at an intermediate depth, was the result of normal faulting and did not trigger a tsunami.
Conclusion
The recent 7.3 magnitude earthquake in northern Chile serves as a reminder of the region’s high seismic activity and the importance of disaster preparedness and response. While the earthquake did not cause significant damage or loss of life, it is a timely reminder of the need for individuals and authorities to be prepared for powerful earthquakes.
By understanding the region’s seismic activity and the impact of powerful earthquakes, we can work towards reducing the risk of damage and loss of life in the event of a future earthquake.
What measures are in place for disaster preparedness and response in Chile following the recent 7.3 magnitude earthquake?
Recent 7.3 Magnitude Earthquake in Northern Chile and its Impact on the Region
On Thursday night, a powerful 7.3 magnitude earthquake struck northern Chile, with its epicenter located around the Salar de Atacama, near San Pedro de Atacama, at a depth of 126 kilometers. The earthquake, which occurred at 1:50 GMT, was felt not only in Chile but also in parts of Peru and Bolivia, causing widespread alarm among the population.
Fortunately, there were no immediate reports of damage or casualties, and no tsunami warnings were issued by authorities. Chile’s National System for Disaster Prevention and Response (Senapred) confirmed that the quake did not pose a risk of generating a tsunami on the country’s coasts.
The impact of the earthquake was felt in the southern regions of Tacna and Arequipa in Peru, where residents reported feeling the tremors. While there were no reports of personal or material damage in these regions, the quake caused significant alarm among the population.
Chile’s History of Earthquakes
Chile is no stranger to powerful earthquakes. In fact, the country has a long history of devastating earthquakes, including the 1960 Chile earthquake, which is considered one of the largest earthquakes in recorded history [[3]]. The earthquake, which had a magnitude of 9.5, struck on May 22, 1960, and caused widespread destruction and loss of life.
More recently, in 2010, a massive earthquake with a magnitude of 8.8 struck off the coast of central Chile, triggering a tsunami that caused widespread destruction and loss of life [[1]]. The earthquake, which occurred on February 27, 2010, was one of the largest in recent history, and its impact was felt as far away as Hawaii and Japan.
Seismic Activity in the Region
The recent 7.3 magnitude earthquake in northern Chile is a reminder of the region’s high seismic activity. The earthquake occurred as a result of normal faulting at an intermediate depth within the Earth’s crust [[2]]. The region’s unique geology, which is characterized by the intersection of several tectonic plates, makes it prone to powerful earthquakes.
In recent years, there have been several significant earthquakes in the region, including a 7.4 magnitude earthquake that occurred on July 19, 2024, near Atacama, Chile [[2]]. The earthquake, which occurred at an intermediate depth, was the result of normal faulting and did not trigger a tsunami.
Conclusion
The recent 7.3 magnitude earthquake in northern Chile serves as a reminder of the region’s high seismic activity and the importance of disaster preparedness and response. While the earthquake did not cause significant damage or loss of life, it highlights the need for Chile and its neighboring countries to be prepared for powerful earthquakes and their potential impact on the
