The National Seismological Center (CSN) at the University of Chile recorded four low-intensity earthquakes between midnight and 06:00 this Sunday, October 11. Their magnitudes ranged from 3.1 to 3.6. All were located in northern Chile.
According to La Tercera, citing CSN reports, the first earthquake occurred at 00:45. It had a magnitude of 3.2, its epicenter was 95 kilometers southwest of Mina La Escondida, in the Antofagasta Region, and it occurred at a depth of 94 kilometers.
At 02:58, the strongest earthquake of the day was recorded. It reached a magnitude of 3.6, with its epicenter 73 kilometers northwest of Tongoy, in the Coquimbo Region, and a depth of 26 kilometers. It was also the shallowest of the four.
The next two earthquakes were concentrated in the high plateau area. At 05:30, a magnitude 3.4 earthquake occurred 83 kilometers southeast of Socaire, at a depth of 194 kilometers. At 05:54, another earthquake of magnitude 3.1 was recorded, 124 kilometers east of San Pedro de Atacama and at a depth of 259 kilometers.
Chilevisión published the same data on times, epicenters and depths. Neither outlet reported damage or areas where the shaking was felt.
Most of these earthquakes go unnoticed by the population. Chile lies on the boundary between the Nazca and South American plates, whose movement generates constant seismic activity throughout the country.
The National Disaster Prevention and Response Service (Senapred) offers reminders about what to do during a significant earthquake. It recommends staying calm, finding a safe place and taking shelter beneath or beside a sturdy object. It also advises turning off the electricity and shutting off water and gas valves.
If an earthquake strikes while people are outdoors, the agency asks them to move away from buildings, poles and electrical wires. At large gatherings, people should stay where they are, protect their head and neck with their arms and follow instructions from security personnel.
Those driving through a tunnel, over a bridge or on a highway should slow down and stop once they have left that structure. The CSN updates its record of new earthquakes throughout the day.
