Strong Earthquake Hits Southern Peru

A powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 7.2 struck the Andean region of Ayacucho in southern Peru, leaving minor damage to homes and at least three people injured. The earthquake occurred at 13:00 local time, with its epicenter located 35 kilometers north of the town of Coracora, in the province of Parinacochas.

The earthquake was felt clearly in homes and buildings, with an intensity of III-IV in Coracora, according to the report by the Instituto Geofísico del Perú (IGP). This means that the earthquake could be felt strongly, but it was not strong enough to cause significant damage on its own.

Earthquake Details

The earthquake was reported to have originated at a depth of 108 kilometers and had an epicenter located in the southwest of the country. The Instituto Nacional de Defensa Civil (Indeci) reported that the strong effects of the earthquake were felt in several districts, including Coracora, Chumpi, Coronel Castañeda, Pacapausa, Pullo, Puyusca, San Francisco de Ravavayco, and Upahuacho in the province of Parinacochas, as well as in the district of Nazca in the region of Ica.

Damage and Response

The Minister of Defense, Rafael Belaunde, reported that 22 homes and 6 schools were affected by the earthquake. Three people were also treated for minor injuries. The jefe del Indeci, General Luis Vásquez, reported that in the district of Pullo, 12 homes and a health clinic were damaged, while in Puquio, at least 8 houses were damaged.

Regional Seismic Activity

Peru is located in the Pacific Ring of Fire, a region of high seismic and volcanic activity that stretches from the west coast of the Americas to the east coast of Asia. The country is prone to earthquakes due to the subduction of the Nazca plate under the South American plate, which accumulates and releases large amounts of energy. The region of Coracora has experienced similar deep earthquakes in the past, including a 6.6 magnitude earthquake in 2014 that occurred at a depth of 108 kilometers.

The Servicio Geológico de Estados Unidos (USGS) estimated the magnitude of the earthquake to be 6.7 and located the epicenter at a depth of 67 kilometers. The USGS assigned a green alert to the event, indicating a low initial probability of significant casualties and economic losses. A comparison of the earthquake's magnitude and depth as reported by different agencies is shown in the following table:

The earthquake did not generate a tsunami alert on the Peruvian coast, according to the Dirección de Hidrografía y Navegación de la Marina de Guerra. The alcalde provincial de Parinacochas, Yony Reyes Anampa, requested the intervention of regional and national authorities to evaluate possible damage and attend to affected communities.