A magnitude 6.1 earthquake struck northern Chile with its epicenter 104 kilometers southwest of San Pedro de Atacama. There have been no reports of injuries or damage, and no tsunami warning was issued. The earthquake, categorized as medium intensity, occurred at a depth of 93 kilometers. Chile’s disaster preparedness has improved since past seismic events.
On Thursday, a magnitude 6.1 earthquake struck northern Chile, specifically 104 kilometers southwest of San Pedro de Atacama. Fortunately, there have been no immediate reports of injuries or structural damage as a result of this seismic event. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) recorded the quake at 12:21 p.m. local time, noting its depth at 93 kilometers (58 miles).
Chile’s national disaster agency categorized the earthquake as having “medium intensity” and will continue assessments for any potential impact. Importantly, the agency confirmed that the quake did not trigger the conditions necessary to generate a tsunami along the coastline.
Chile is situated in the “Ring of Fire,” an area known for tectonic activity, including earthquakes and tsunamis, resulting from the interaction of tectonic plates beneath the Pacific Ocean. Memories of the catastrophic magnitude 8.8 earthquake in 2010, which caused significant loss of life, are still fresh for Chileans. In response, authorities have enhanced emergency protocols and reinforced buildings with shock-absorbing technology to mitigate damage during seismic events.
The magnitude 6.1 earthquake in northern Chile did not result in any casualties or structural damage, marking a fortunate event amidst the country’s seismically active environment. Chile’s ongoing enhancements in disaster preparedness and building safety reflect lessons learned from past earthquakes, especially the devastating one in 2010. Continuous monitoring and assessment by disaster agencies emphasize the importance of readiness in the face of natural disasters.
Original Source: abcnews.go.com
