Bolivia: Magnitude-5.1 earthquake occurs in Oruro Department Oct. 29

Event

A magnitude-5.1 earthquake occurred in Ororu Department at around 07:40 Oct. 29. The epicenter was about 126 km (78 miles) south of Oruro, Oruro Department. The tremor occurred at a depth of about 265 km (165 miles), and weak shaking was probably felt in southwestern Bolivia. There have been no initial reports of damage or casualties as a result of the earthquake, and significant damage is unlikely given the magnitude and depth of focus of the seismic event, as well as the sparsely populated nature of the area in which it occurred. 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. Out of an abundance of caution, 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.