Chile: Magnitude-5.5 offshore earthquake occurs west of Atacama Region at around 01:23 Dec. 14

Event

A magnitude-5.5 offshore earthquake occurred in the South Pacific Ocean west of the Atacama Region, Chile, at around 01:23 Dec. 14. The epicenter was about 89 km (55 miles) west of Vallenar. The tremor occurred at a depth of about 23 km (14 miles), and weak-to-light shaking was probably felt throughout most of Atacama and northern Coquimbo regions in Chile and far western La Rioja and San Juan provinces in Argentina. There have been no initial reports of damage or casualties as a result of the earthquake; significant damage is unlikely. It could take several hours until authorities can conduct comprehensive damage assessments, especially in remote areas. Aftershocks are possible over the coming days. The event has not prompted any tsunami advisories.

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.