Strong Earthquake Rocks Northern Chile: Magnitude 6.4

A significant earthquake, measuring 6.4 on the magnitude scale, hit northern Chile on Friday. The event caused minor infrastructure damage and led to power outages affecting more than 20,000 people. The US Geological Survey (USGS) reported the quake struck at 1:15 p.m. local time (5:15 p.m. GMT), with its epicenter located near the coast of the Atacama Desert at a depth of 76 kilometers (47 miles). Residents across several communities in the vast Atacama Desert region felt the earthquake. Initial assessments revealed no immediate casualties. The Chilean Hydrographic and Oceanographic Service confirmed that the earthquake did not have the necessary conditions to produce a tsunami along the South American coast. Senapred’s deputy director, Miguel Ortiz, stated that the earthquake resulted in minor damage to infrastructure and caused power disruptions, impacting approximately 23,000 residents.