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Peru Disaster

Powerful 7.2 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Off Peru's Coast, Tsunami Threat Issued

A 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck near Peru's coast early Friday, prompting a tsunami threat for Peru and Chile. The quake's shallow depth caused strong shaking, and a yellow warning was issued for potential moderate damage.

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Aqsa Younas Rana
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A powerful 7.2 magnitude earthquake hit near Peru's coast, causing strong tremors.

A powerful magnitude 7.2 earthquake struck the South Pacific Ocean near the coast of Peru early Friday morning, June 28, 2024, at 12:36 am local time (America/Lima GMT -5). The earthquake, with a very shallow depth of 28 kilometers (17 miles), was felt across a vast region. Its shallow depth caused stronger shaking near the epicenter compared to deeper quakes of similar magnitude.

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) confirmed the earthquake's magnitude at 7.2. The Peruvian government issued a yellow warning, indicating potential moderate damage and/or loss of life. However, immediate reports on damage or casualties were not available.

Why This Matters: Following the quake, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) issued a tsunami threat for Peru, and to a lesser extent, Chile. The epicenter was located eight kilometers west of Peru's Atiquipa. Despite the severity of the quake, the Bureau of Meteorology in Australia confirmed there was no tsunami threat to Australia from this earthquake.

Just a few weeks earlier, on June 16, a 6.3 magnitude earthquake struck off the southern coast of Peru, centered in the Pacific at a depth of 25 kilometers (16 miles) near the Arequipa department. This previous quake did not pose a tsunami threat.

Peru, situated on the Pacific Ring of Fire, experiences hundreds of detectable earthquakes each year. The region is prone to seismic activity due to the collision of the South American and Nazca tectonic plates. Historical data from the US Geological Survey (USGS) notes frequent moderate to strong quakes in the area, with the population often perceiving these events as "between moderate and strong."

The recent 7.2 magnitude earthquake's potential impact highlights the importance of preparedness and early warning systems in mitigating damage and ensuring public safety in earthquake-prone regions like Peru.

 Key Takeaways:

  • Magnitude 7.2 earthquake strikes near Peru's coast with a 28 km depth.
  • USGS confirms earthquake magnitude; yellow warning for moderate damage issued.
  • PTWC issues tsunami threat for Peru and Chile after the offshore earthquake.
  • Epicenter located eight kilometers west of Atiquipa; immediate damage unclear.
  • Peru frequently experiences earthquakes due to its location on the Ring of Fire.

peru Earthquakes