Argentina: Magnitude-6.4 earthquake occurs in San Juan Province at around 2346 ART Jan. 18

Event

A magnitude-6.4 earthquake occurred in San Juan Province in western Argentina at around 2346 ART Jan. 18. The epicenter was about 42 km (26 miles) southwest of San Juan. The tremor occurred at a depth of about 14 km (9 miles), and moderate-to-strong shaking likely occurred near the epicenter in southern San Juan Province. Light shaking was likely felt throughout western Argentina, including the rest of San Juan Province and parts of southwestern La Rioja, northern Mendoza, and northwestern San Luis provinces. Additionally, weak-to-light shaking probably occurred in the Coquimbo, Valparaiso, and Santiago Metropolitan regions of central Chile. There have been no initial reports of damage or casualties as a result of the earthquake. It could take several hours until authorities can conduct comprehensive damage assessments, especially in remote areas. Aftershocks are possible over the coming days.

Officials may temporarily shut down transportation infrastructure in the tremor zone to check for damage. Minor disruptions could occur during shutdowns, but service will likely resume quickly if no damage is found. Utility outages are possible, particularly near the earthquake's epicenter.

Advice

Plan accordingly for aftershocks. Consider vacating multistory buildings if operating in affected areas until authorities confirm their structural integrity. Allow additional time for air and road travel, as aftershocks may prompt brief disruptions. Seek updated information on road conditions before driving in hilly areas in the affected region due to potential landslides.