Strong M6.2 earthquake hits Chile – Argentina border region
Image credit: TW/SAM, Google
A strong earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.2 hit Chile – Argentina border region at 05:18 UTC on September 13, 2021. The agency is reporting a depth of 193 km (120 miles). EMSC is reporting M6.2 at a depth of 171 km (106 miles).
The epicenter was located 80 km (50 miles) WNW of San Antonio de los Cobres (population 4 000), Argentina and 178 km (110 miles) WNW of San Salvador de Jujuy (population 305 891), Argentina.
979 000 people are estimated to have felt light shaking.
Image credit: TW/SAM, Google
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.
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
Teo Blašković founded The Watchers in 2011 and edited it until 2026, covering seismic and volcanic activity, extreme weather, space weather and near-Earth objects. Articles on this page are his archive.
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