Shallow M6.2 earthquake hits near the coast of Bio-Bio, Chile

A strong and shallow earthquake, registered by Chile’s National Seismological Center (CSN) as M6.2, hit near the coast of Bio-Bio, Chile at 02:24 UTC on November 13, 2022 (23:25 LT on November 12). The agency is reporting a depth of 20 km (12.4 miles). USGS is reporting M6.2 at a depth of 18 km (11.1 miles), and EMSC M6.3 at a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles).

It was preceded by M5.7 just 56 seconds before the mainshock and followed by M5.0 at 03:00 UTC, according to the USGS.

CSN registered 14 aftershocks, with magnitudes ranging from 2.5 to 4.9 over the next 5 hours.

The epicenter was located 18.7 km (11.6 miles) NNW of Lenbu (population 22 345), 35.2 km (21.9 miles) W of Curanilahue (population 30 611), 44.2 km (27.5 miles) WSW of Arauco (population 24 659), and 93 km (57.8 miles) SW of Concepcion (population 215 413), Biiobio, Chile.

4 000 people are estimated to have felt very strong shaking, 86 000 strong and 376 000 moderate, according to the USGS PAGER.

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: TW/SAM, Google