A powerful earthquake of magnitude 7.3 struck Chile’s Antofagasta region on Thursday night, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). The tremor, which hit at 9:51 p.m. local time, was centered 265 kilometers east of the coastal city of Antofagasta and occurred at a depth of 128 kilometers.
The USGS reported that the earthquake was located 41 kilometers southeast of San Pedro de Atacama, a town in northern Chile. Despite the significant magnitude, there have been no immediate reports of damage or casualties. Additionally, no tsunami warning has been issued as a precaution.
Chile is situated on the Pacific Ocean’s “Ring of Fire,” an area known for its seismic activity, including frequent volcanic eruptions and earthquakes. The country is one of the most earthquake-prone regions in the world and has experienced some of the strongest recorded earthquakes in history. Notably, Chile recorded the largest earthquake ever, a magnitude 9.5 quake, in Valdivia in 1960.
In recent years, Chile has faced several seismic events, including an 8.8-magnitude earthquake in 2010 that triggered a tsunami and resulted in over 500 deaths. Earlier this year, a magnitude 5.3 earthquake struck the Tarapaca region, though it resulted in no significant damage.
Sources By Agencies
