Magnitude 6.1 Earthquake Hits Northern Chile with No Casualties Reported
A 6.1 magnitude earthquake hit northern Chile, with no reported injuries or damage. The quake occurred near San Pedro de Atacama and was classified as of medium intensity. Chilean authorities are evaluating the situation, and no tsunami warning was issued.
On Thursday, a magnitude 6.1 earthquake struck northern Chile without reports of casualties or damage. The epicenter was identified as 104 kilometers (64 miles) southwest of San Pedro de Atacama, a small town near the Bolivia border, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS).
The USGS reported that the earthquake occurred at 12:21 p.m. local time and had a depth of 93 kilometers (58 miles). Chile’s national disaster agency classified the quake as having “medium intensity” and announced ongoing assessments for potential damage. Fortunately, it confirmed that the quake did not trigger conditions for a tsunami along the affected coast.
Situated within the “Ring of Fire,” Chile frequently experiences earthquakes due to tectonic plate interactions beneath the Pacific Ocean. Historical context remains significant, as the traumatic magnitude 8.8 earthquake in 2010 resulted in a tsunami and the loss of 526 lives.
In light of past disasters, Chilean authorities have since improved emergency response protocols and retrofitted buildings with shock-absorbing technology to mitigate future damage and prevent collapse during seismic events.
The recent magnitude 6.1 earthquake in northern Chile has prompted no reports of injuries or damage, highlighting effective disaster preparedness measures in place since the devastating 2010 quake. Continuous evaluation by national disaster agencies and advancements in building technologies are essential for enhancing safety in this earthquake-prone region.
Original Source: www.cp24.com
