A magnitude 6.1 earthquake struck northern Chile, with no reported casualties or damage. The quake, occurring southwest of San Pedro de Atacama, was deemed of “medium intensity” by local disaster agencies, which are ongoing evaluations. Chile, situated in the “Ring of Fire,” has previously experienced severe earthquakes and focuses on improving its emergency response and building safety.
On Thursday, a magnitude 6.1 earthquake struck northern Chile, located within the seismically active “Ring of Fire”. Fortunately, there were no immediate reports of casualties or significant damage, and no tsunami warning was issued. The earthquake’s epicenter was located 104 kilometers southwest of San Pedro de Atacama, close to the Bolivian border, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS).
The quake occurred at 12:21 PM local time and had a depth of 93 kilometers. Chile’s national disaster agency classified it as of “medium intensity” and indicated that it would continue to assess for any potential damage. The agency also confirmed that conditions for a tsunami were not met along the coast.
Chile’s geographical position has left it vulnerable to seismic activities, as evidenced by the devastating magnitude 8.8 earthquake in 2010 that resulted in 526 fatalities and triggered a tsunami. In response, Chile has enhanced its emergency response protocols and retrofitted buildings with shock-absorbing technologies to mitigate the impact of future seismic events.
The recent 6.1 magnitude earthquake in northern Chile, part of the active “Ring of Fire,” thankfully did not result in casualties or damage. Chile continues to build on lessons learned from past disasters, enhancing its preparedness and safety measures for future earthquakes. The evaluation by authorities is ongoing, reflecting their commitment to public safety and resilience against geological threats.
Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com
