A strong earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.2 hit near the coast of Coquimbo, Chile at 23:48 UTC on September 6, 2023. The agency is reporting a depth of 41.4 km (25.7 miles). EMSC is reporting the same magnitude and depth.
Extreme weather events, including significant floods and wildfires, have wreaked havoc on Chile’s bee colonies, essential pollinators for the country’s vital avocado and almond crops. The events, described as the worst in a decade, have critically endangered a key component of the South American nation’s multi-billion-dollar food industry.
Heavy rainfall has been affecting central-southern Chile, particularly Valparaíso, Santiago Metropolitan, O’Higgins, Maule, Ñuble, Biobío, and Araucanía regions since June 23, 2023, causing floods, casualties, and significant damage.
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).
At least 13 people were reported dead and more than 100 homes destroyed as of early Saturday morning (UTC), February 4, 2023 as a result of the more than 150 wildfires burning across Chile. Most of the wildfires are in Biobío and neighboring Ñuble.
Seismic activity around Chile’s Lascar volcano has increased over the past 2 days, causing Sernageomin to raise its Alert Level to Orange. The security perimeter around the crater was expanded to 10 km (6.2 miles), with the community urged to avoid unnecessary exposure to potential dangers. The seismicity is primarily linked to fluid dynamics within the volcanic system, which could be a result of the destabilization of a remnant magmatic body. This activity could lead to explosive events, potentially causing ashfall in the area.
Intense strombolian activity continues at Villarrica volcano, Chile, with lava fountains reaching up to 150 m (490 feet) in height. The Alert Level remains at Yellow (the second lowest level on a four-color scale).
Monitoring stations installed in the vicinity of the massive Ollagüe stratovolcano in the Andes, on the border between Bolivia and Chile, detected increased seismicity under the volcano on January 2, 2023.
A strong vulcanian explosion took place at Lascar volcano, Chile at 15:36 UTC on December 10, 2022.
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).
