Argentina: Magnitude-5.5 earthquake occurs in San Juan Province at around 08:28 ART April 1

Event

A magnitude-5.5 earthquake occurred in San Juan at around 08:28 ART April 1. The epicenter was about 18 km (11 miles) northeast of the city of San Juan. The tremor occurred at a depth of about 200 km (124 miles), and light shaking was probably felt throughout San Juan, southern and western La Rioja, northern Mendoza, and northwestern San Luis provinces in Argentina and into far eastern Coquimbo and Valparaiso regions in Chile. There have been no initial reports of damage or casualties due to the earthquake. Significant damage is unlikely; however, minor damage is possible near the epicenter. The earthquake could also trigger landslides on unstable slopes. It could take several hours until authorities can conduct comprehensive damage assessments, especially in remote areas. Light aftershocks are likely 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.