The National Seismological Center (CSN) at the University of Chile recorded three low-magnitude earthquakes during the early morning of this Thursday, October 15. The first occurred at 01:14 and the last reported at 06:22.
According to La Tercera and Chilevisión, the strongest tremor reached 3.4 degrees and was located 6 kilometers southeast of Punta de Choros, a coastal town in the municipality of La Higuera, in the Coquimbo Region. It had a depth of 40 kilometers.
At 02:07, the CSN reported a magnitude 3.1 earthquake with an epicenter 77 kilometers west of San Antonio de los Cobres, an Argentine town near the border. Its depth was 212 kilometers.
The third recorded earthquake occurred at 06:22, with a magnitude of 3.0 and an epicenter 38 kilometers southwest of Mina Collahuasi, in the Tarapacá Region. It occurred at a depth of 119 kilometers.
The three data points for Collahuasi and San Antonio de los Cobres appear in Chilevisión's report. At the time of publication, La Tercera's article listed only the Punta de Choros earthquake. Neither outlet reported damage or people affected.
The frequency of these tremors reflects Chile's location on the boundary between the Nazca and South American plates. Most of these earthquakes are imperceptible to the population.
The National Disaster Prevention and Response Service (Senapred) reminds people that, in the event of a significant earthquake, they should remain calm and seek protection under or beside a sturdy object. It also recommends turning off the electricity and shutting off water and gas valves.
People outdoors should move away from buildings, utility poles and cables. At large gatherings, Senapred advises staying in place, protecting the head and neck with the arms, and following security staff's instructions. If driving through a tunnel, over a bridge or along a highway, drivers should slow down and stop after leaving that structure.
