Strong M6.1 earthquake hits Los Lagos, Chile

A strong earthquake registered bt the USGS as M6.1 hit Los Lagos, Chile at 16:36 UTC (13:36 local time) on September 26, 2019. The agency is reporting a depth of 129.6 km (80 miles). EMSC is reporting M6.0 at a depth of 122 km (76 miles).

The epicenter was located 41 km (25 miles) WSW of Puyehue (population 3 932), Chile, 81 km (50 miles) WNW of San Carlos de Bariloche (population 95 394), Argentina and 85 km (53 miles) SW of Rio Bueno (population 15 456), Chile.

There are 65 000 people living within 100 km (62 miles).

1 200 000 people are estimated to have felt weak shaking.

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 resistant to earthquake shaking, though vulnerable structures exist. The predominant vulnerable building types are adobe block and rubble/field stone masonry construction.

Estimated population exposure to earthquake shaking

Selected cities exposed

Regional seismicity

Featured image credit: USGS