Bolivia, Chile: Magnitude-5.3 earthquake occurs near shared border area Aug. 28

Event

A magnitude-5.3 earthquake occurred in far southwestern Bolivia near the shared border with Chile at around 08:57 Aug. 28. The epicenter was 97 km (60 miles) northeast of San Pedro de Atacama, Chile. The tremor occurred at a depth of about 184 km (114 miles), and weak shaking was probably felt in El Loa Province, Chile; Potosi Department, Bolivia, and extreme northwestern Argentina. 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.