Very strong M7.2 earthquake hits near the coast of central Peru, hazardous tsunami waves possible
A very strong earthquake registered by the USGS as M7.2 hit near the coast of central Peru at 05:36 UTC on June 28, 2024. The agency is reporting a depth of 28 km (17 miles). EMSC is reporting M7.0 at a depth of 56 km (35 miles).
The epicenter was located 34 km (21 miles) SW of Atiquipa (population 137), Arequipa, and 93 km (58 miles) SE of San Juan (population 12 795), Ica, Peru
1 000 people are estimated to have felt severe shaking, 63 000 very strong, 95 000 strong, 416 000 moderate and 1 880 000 light.
Based on all available data, there is no tsunami threat from this earthquake, the NWS PTWC center in Honolulu, Hawai, said at 05:43 UTC.
However, in Tsunami Message Number 2, issued at 05:59 UTC, PTWC updated its forecast and said hazardous tsunami waves are forecast for some coasts:
Tsunami waves reaching 1 to 3 m (3.3 – 9.8 feet) above the tide level are possible along some coasts of Peru. Tsunami waves are forecast to be less than 0.3 m (1 foot) above the tide level for the coasts of Chile.
“Actual amplitudes at the coast may vary from forecast amplitudes due to uncertainties in the forecast and local features. In particular, maximum tsunami amplitudes on atolls and at locations with fringing or barrier reefs will likely be much smaller than the forecast indicates.”
In an update posted at 06:46 UTC, PTWC said the tsunami threat from this earthquake has passed. People living in affected regions are urged to remain observant and exercise normal caution near the sea.
The USGS issued a Yellow alert for shaking-related fatalities and economic losses. Some casualties and damage are possible and the impact should be relatively localized. Past yellow alerts have required a local or regional level response.
Overall, the population in this region resides in structures that are highly vulnerable to earthquake shaking, though some resistant structures exist. The predominant vulnerable building types are mud wall and reinforced/confined masonry construction.
Estimated economic losses are less than 1% of GDP of Peru.
Recent earthquakes in this area have caused secondary hazards such as tsunamis and landslides that might have contributed to losses.
The quake left a total of 8 people injured, of which 3 with minor injuries. Five people have been treated in nearby hospitals.
Structural damage was reported in some districts, according to the government of Arequipa.
The mayor of Yauca district said some walls of houses collapsed.
Power and telecommunications outages were reported near the epicenter.
Estimated population exposure to earthquake shaking
Selected cities exposed
Regional seismicity
Featured image credit: TW/SAM, Google
The world is so exquisite with so much love and moral depth, that there is no reason to deceive ourselves with pretty stories for which there’s little good evidence. Far better it seems to me, in our vulnerability, is to look death in the eye and to be grateful every day for the brief but magnificent opportunity that life provides.
“How long shall My beloved wander in desolate places?! How long shall they strip the fruitful field bare and pollute the springs of living water?! The innocent are destroyed, and the earth is forsaken! The cities of men are a harbor for every foul and detestable bird, a nest for every kind of evil; behold, great wickedness dwells there! Therefore the earth shall rise up against the sons of men, and nature shall break forth in its fury and fight against them, until all in the earth grow weary and the heart of this people is torn! – A rent which is deep, a rent made wide.
Behold, the earth shall shake and rumble from beneath, the cities shall break apart and the towers shall be toppled, and the glory of man shall be utterly devastated! The blood of the innocent shall cry out from the ground, every atrocity of man shall be remembered, when The Lord God strikes the earth with plague and famine and the waters turn to blood!
For the generation of My wrath shall be shaken, the generation of My fury shall be broken without hand! Behold, the storm is already overhead, the whirlwind breaks forth from the midst of the clouds! SEEK SHELTER! For I have set My face against you, O sons of men, and with a strong hand and an outstretched arm I shall surely punish the inhabitants of the earth!”
(An excerpt from “I Am Calling You Out! Part One” – Volume Seven, The Volumes of Truth)