Earthquake measuring 6.6 on the Richter scale rocked south-central Chile

In the morning of Tuesday, two strong earthquakes hit the south-central region of Chile. The National Seismic Center reported that the magnitude of the strongest earthquake was 6.6 on the Richter scale, located 159 kilometers northwest of Lebu. And another of less intensity, 6.3, 64 kilometers northwest of Arauco.

Likewise, the agency specified that “the characteristics of the earthquake do not meet the conditions necessary to generate a tsunami on the Chilean coast”.

The epicenter of the earthquake is in the region of Biobio, more than 500 kilometers south of Santiago, where so far no casualties or material damage have been reported.

The first of the earthquakes occurred at 10:14 a.m. local time, northwest of the city of Arauco – about 630 kilometers from Santiago – the United States Geological Survey reported. A tremor that had a depth of 12.5 kilometers.

And the second, from the northwest of the coastal town of Lebu with the highest record of 6.6 and a depth of 10 kilometers.

The telluric movement was perceived in the region of Biobio and also in the region of corn, in the central area, where intensities between 3 and 5 degrees were recorded.

Meanwhile, in the metropolitan area, home to the capital, no movement was reported.

Chile is one of the most earthquake-prone countries because it is located right on the edge of the Nazca Tectonic Plate, which collides with the South American Plate.

Permanent seismic movements

Over the past few days, several telluric events have been recorded in the Biobío region and more than 80 tremors have also been recorded in the region. Coquimbo, especially in front of Los Vilos.

The terrestrial phenomenon began with a telluric movement of magnitude 4.8 on the Richter scale, and since then dozens have been detected in the same place.

Although only a few tremors were perceived by locals, at least one day exceeded magnitude 4.0.

According to data from the CSN, the official technical body in charge of monitoring seismic activity in the country, in 2020 there was 7,826 earthquakes in total, of which 667 had a noticeable magnitude.

AFG