Strong M7.0 earthquake hits southern Peru
A strong earthquake registered by the USGS as M7.0 hit southern Peru at 08:50 UTC on March 1, 2019. The agency is reporting a depth of 257.4 km (159.9 miles). EMSC is reporting the same magnitude and depth. This earthquake can have a low humanitarian impact based on the magnitude and the affected population and their vulnerability.
The epicenter was located 21.1 km (13.1 miles) WNW of Munani (population 0), 25.9 km (16.1 miles) NNE of Azangaro (population 13 290), 54.5 km (33.9 miles) ENE of Ayaviri (population 19 310) and 73.5 km (45.7 miles) W of La Rinconada (population 29 678), Peru.
There are 790 000 people living within 100 km (62 miles) and 180 000 within 50 km (31 miles).
The USGS issued a green alert for shaking-related fatalities and economic losses. There is a low likelihood of casualties and damage.
Overall, the population in this region resides in structures that are highly vulnerable to earthquake shaking, though some resistant structures exist. The predominant vulnerable building types are mud wall and reinforced/confined masonry construction.
Recent earthquakes in this area have caused secondary hazards such as landslides that might have contributed to losses.
Estimated population exposure to earthquake shaking
Selected cities exposed
Regional seismicity
Featured image credit: Google, TW/SAM
Looks like Cusco is in range for this earthquake… a major population center/ tourist destination with loads of historic architecture, much of it thousands of years old.
Also some more shallow ones off the coast….nothing to worry about though….
Seems like there are some deep quakes going on up here in the north of the South American continent. A 7.5 up in Ecuador Feb 22. Another one in Brazil’s state of Acre a few months ago…..probably nothing….
This is a very deep earthquake, surely intense cosmic radiation is responsible for this earthquake