In the early hours of Tuesday, October 31st, Chile experienced a significant seismic event, as a powerful earthquake measuring 6.7 on the Richter scale sent tremors through the region. The quake was centered near the picturesque coastal city of La Serena, situated in the Elqui, Coquimbo Region, and occurred at 7:33 a.m. local time. This temblor, originating just 10 kilometers beneath the Earth’s surface, rattled both the land and the nerves of the local population.
Representative image of a seismograph. Tuesday's earthquake near La Serena, Elqui did not cause any significant damages.
According to reports from Volcano Discovery, the earthquake’s impact was felt across the vicinity of its epicenter, although no major damage has been reported at this time. Instances of objects falling from shelves and shattered windows were noted, but thankfully, no significant injuries or structural harm have been recorded.
Imágenes del #sismo fuerte M6.6 en #LaSerena #Chile 🇨🇱 esta mañana 31 de octubre de 2023 #Temblor #earthquake #Vallenar
Vía @dinamicaESL pic.twitter.com/oDcyJMSWRg— Geól. Sergio Almazán (@chematierra) October 31, 2023
New #Earthquake. 🌎
6.7 (Mw) – Near the coast of Atacama, Chile.
2023/10/31 12:33:44 UTC.
App: https://t.co/RblVNxZYn8#earthquake #sismo #temblor #terremoto pic.twitter.com/37aNQdaTGz— Chile Alerta 🇨🇱⚠🌎 (@ChileAlertaApp) October 31, 2023
Chile has had its share of tectonic activity in recent times. Just over a month ago, on September 7th, a 6.2 magnitude earthquake rocked the northern region of the country. This previous event, as documented by the US Geological Survey, had its epicenter located 41 kilometers south-southwest of Coquimbo, and it had a depth of 41 kilometers. Thankfully, this earlier earthquake, similar to the recent one, resulted in no injuries or substantial damages.
Chile, a country known for its seismic activity due to its location along the Pacific Ring of Fire, continues to face these natural challenges. Fortunately, the resilience and preparedness of the Chilean people have helped mitigate the potential impact of these earthquakes. We will keep you updated as more information becomes available regarding the recent earthquake in La Serena.
