SANTIAGO, Chile — A 6.2 magnitude earthquake occurred off the southern coast of Chile on Friday morning, although no immediate injuries or damage have been reported, and there were no alerts issued for a tsunami.
The earthquake’s epicenter was located 278 kilometers (172 miles) west-northwest of Cochrane, which is in a region characterized by low population density known as Patagonia, based on data from the U.S. Geological Survey.
Occurring at 6:37 a.m. local time, the quake had a depth of approximately 10 kilometers (6.2 miles).
Authorities from Chile’s national disaster agency have classified this earthquake as one of “lower intensity,” though they will continue assessing the area for any potential aftermath.
Positioned along the Pacific’s “Ring of Fire,” Chile is notably susceptible to seismic activity. The country carries the burden of memories from the devastating 8.8 magnitude earthquake in 2010, which triggered a tsunami and resulted in the loss of 526 lives.