Lagatar24 Desk
Antofagasta, Chile: A magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck near Antofagasta in Chile on Thursday night, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). The powerful tremor hit 265 kilometers east of the coastal city of Antofagasta at a depth of 128 kilometers. The quake occurred at 9:51 PM local time, with no immediate reports of damage.
The USGS confirmed the location and magnitude of the earthquake, while AFP reported that no tsunami warning had been issued so far.
Chile, one of the most earthquake-prone countries in the world, is located on the Pacific Ocean’s “Ring of Fire,” a region known for its significant seismic activity and frequent volcanic eruptions. The country has experienced some of the strongest recorded earthquakes in history, including the record 9.5 magnitude quake in 1960 in the southern city of Valdivia.
In recent history, Chile has faced numerous significant quakes. In January, a magnitude 5.3 earthquake struck the northern region of Tarapaca at a depth of 118 kilometers, with no reported losses.
Chile’s history of major earthquakes includes:
- 1965: 7.4 magnitude at La Ligua, 400 dead
- 1971: 7.5 magnitude in Valparaiso region, 90 dead
- 1985: 7.8 magnitude offshore Valparaiso, 177 dead
- 1998: 7.1 magnitude near the coast of northern Chile
- 2002: 6.6 magnitude at Chile-Argentina border region
- 2003: 6.8 magnitude near the coast of central Chile
- 2004: 6.6 magnitude near Bio-Bio, central Chile
- 2005: 7.8 magnitude in Tarapaca, northern Chile, 11 dead
- 2007: 7.7 magnitude at Antofagasta, northern Chile, 2 dead
- 2007: 6.7 magnitude at Antofagasta
- 2008: 6.3 magnitude at Tarapaca
- 2009: 6.5 magnitude offshore Tarapaca
One of the most devastating recent events was in 2010, when an 8.8 magnitude earthquake and subsequent tsunami killed over 500 people. Chile’s preparedness and resilience in the face of such natural disasters continue to be critical as the country navigates its position on the Ring of Fire.
