Chile: Magnitude-5.8 earthquake occurs near Santiago at around 2107 CLST Jan. 23

Event

A magnitude-5.8 earthquake occurred in the Santiago Metropolitan Region in central Chile at 2107 CLST Jan. 23. The epicenter was about 41 km (25 miles) east-northeast of Santiago. The tremor occurred at a depth of about 110 km (68 miles), and weak-to-light shaking was probably felt throughout central Chile, including southern Coquimbo, O'Higgins, Santiago Metropolitan, and Valparaiso regions, as well as Mendoza and parts of southwestern San Juan provinces in 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.

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.