Shallow M6.2 earthquake hits Easter Island region
Image credit: TW/SAM, Google
A strong and shallow earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.2 hit the Easter Island region at 04:40 UTC on December 3, 2021. The agency is reporting a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles). EMSC is reporting M6.1 at a depth of 33 km (20.5 miles).
The epicenter was located 324 km (201 miles) WSW of Hanga Roa, Easter Island, Chile.
There are no people living within 100 km (62 miles).
8 000 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.
Image credit: TW/SAM, Google
Estimated population exposure to earthquake shaking
Selected cities exposed
Regional seismicity
I'm a dedicated researcher, journalist, and editor at The Watchers. With over 20 years of experience in the media industry, I specialize in hard science news, focusing on extreme weather, seismic and volcanic activity, space weather, and astronomy, including near-Earth objects and planetary defense strategies. You can reach me at teo /at/ watchers.news.
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