Strong and shallow M6.4 earthquake hits off the coast of Chile
A strong and shallow earthquake registered by the CSN Chile as M6.4 hit off the coast of Maule, Chile at 17:33 UTC (14:33 LT) on March 30, 2023. The agency is reporting a depth of 22 km (13.7 miles). The USGS is reporting M6.3 at a depth of 13.1 km (8.1 miles); EMSC M6.3 at a depth of 12 km (7.4 miles).
The epicenter was located 108.1 km (67.2 mi) WSW of Constitución (population 37 917) and 136.9 km (85.1 miles) NNW of Concepción (population 215 413), Chile.
There is no tsunami threat from this earthquake.
2 004 000 people are estimated to have felt light shaking, 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.
Recent earthquakes in this area have caused secondary hazards such as liquefaction that might have contributed to losses.
Estimated population exposure to earthquake shaking
Selected cities exposed
Regional seismicity
Featured image credit: TW/SAM, Google
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