28 Jun 2024 | 06:17 AM UTC
Peru: Magnitude-7.2 offshore earthquake occurs near Atiquipa at around 00:36 June 27
Magnitude-7.2 offshore earthquake occurs near Atiquipa, Peru, at around 00:36 June 27. Tsunami warning issued.
A magnitude-7.2 offshore earthquake occurred off southern Peru at around 00:36 June 27. The epicenter was about 8 km (5 miles) west of Atiquipa. The tremor occurred at a depth of about 28 km (17 miles), and severe to strong shaking was probably felt near the epicenter in western Arequipa Region, with moderate to light shaking probably felt in the rest of Arequipa, Ica, Ayacucho, and Apurimac regions. Authorities have warned of possible tsunami waves reaching 1-3 meters (3-9 feet) along some coasts of Peru and tsunami waves of less than 0.3 meters (1 foot) across some coasts of 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 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.
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.
Move away from the immediate coastline; tsunamis can be long-duration events, and the threat may persist for hours. Vacate multistoried buildings or unreinforced structures in areas where strong shaking occurred; aftershocks could cause additional damage. Cellular networks may be overwhelmed; use text messaging if services are available. Due to the threat of landslides, seek updated information on road conditions before driving in hilly areas in the affected area.
