An earthquake of magnitude 6.7 struck close to the bank of Northern Chile on Tuesday, the GFZ German Research Center for Geosciences stated, with media broadcasting some destruction and minor avalanches in zones close to the epicenter.
Chile’s interior ministry said that mining organizations working in the zone had not revealed any issues in the 2-1/2 hours since the earthquake.
Copiapó #temblor pic.twitter.com/6JYxDPpIeh
— javrs19 (@javs2020) September 1, 2020
Chile’s local media said staff working in certain mines had been moved to secured zones. Mine offices and other foundation in Chile are worked to withstand enormous earthquakes.
The National Emergency Office of the interior ministry said there had been some power shutdowns and rubble covering streets around the area.
The University of Chile’s seismological hub said it had noticed about 15 aftershocks around the port city of Huasco, halfway between provincial capital La Serena and Copiapo.
Ricardo Toro, director of the National Emergency Office, said aftershocks would probably proceed through Tuesday morning.
He said those being emptied as a prudent step from homes near the coast ought to keep up social distancing intended to stop the spread of COVID-19 and wear face covers.
Pictures posted via online media reveals minor damages including crumbled and split walls, products, and bottles that are broken and spread on the floor in the markets.
#Temblor #Copiapo @RADIONOSTALGICA @reddeemergencia @canal13 @RedGeoChile pic.twitter.com/T9t1mvNkhB
— Gabriel F:P. (@Pancho_234) September 1, 2020
There was no tidal wave danger, as indicated by the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center.
GFZ prior revealed the magnitude at 7, with a shake depth of 10 km (6.2 miles). A magnitude of 6.7 quakes struck Chile’s mineral-rich northern desert in June.