Chile Escapes Unscathed After 6.1 Magnitude Earthquake

A magnitude 6.1 earthquake hit northern Chile on Thursday, with no immediate reports of casualties or damage. No tsunami warning was issued in the earthquake-prone country in South America.

The epicenter of the quake was located 64 miles southwest of San Pedro de Atacama, a small town near Chile’s border with Bolivia, according to the United States Geological Survey.

At 12:21 p.m. local time, the quake struck with a depth of 58 miles. Chile’s national disaster agency classified the earthquake as of “medium intensity” and stated they would continue to assess for any potential damage. They also confirmed that the earthquake did not have the conditions necessary to cause a tsunami along the coast.

Chile lies in the “Ring of Fire,” a region along the Pacific Ocean where tectonic plates collide, leading to earthquakes and tsunamis from Chile to Alaska.

Chileans remember the devastating magnitude 8.8 earthquake in 2010 that caused a tsunami and claimed 526 lives. Since then, Chilean authorities have worked on improving emergency procedures and retrofitting buildings with shock-absorbing devices to minimize damage and prevent collapse.