A 5.3 magnitude earthquake struck northern Chile on Wednesday, centered 37 km northeast of the city of Calama in the Tarapacá region.
Chile’s National Seismological Center registered the depth of the quake at 118 km. There were no immediate reports of injuries or damage.
The tremor occurred at 8:15 AM local time and many residents in Calama felt the shaking, describing it as moderate.
“The lamps swayed a bit but it was over in a few seconds,” said 22-year-old Alejandra Galvez, a resident in an apartment building.
Local authorities and emergency services said they had not received any distress calls after the earthquake. Preliminary assessments also did not show any visible damage in and around Calama.
“It seems the quake did not impact infrastructure except for some minor cracking of plaster,” said Ramon Ortiz, head of Calama’s municipal works department.
The Chilean Navy’s Hydrographic and Oceanographic Service confirmed that the characteristics of the earthquake do not indicate the generation of a tsunami.
Chile is one of the world’s most seismically active countries, lying on the Pacific ‘Ring of Fire.’ The arid northern regions have experienced several minor tremors this month although Wednesday’s is considered medium intensity.
