Chile: Magnitude-5.0 earthquake occurs near Valparaiso at 18:17 April 14

Event

A magnitude-5.0 earthquake occurred along the coast of Chile near Valparaiso at around 18:17 April 14. The epicenter was about 35 km (22 miles) north-northwest of La Ligua. The tremor occurred at a depth of about 48 km (30 miles); strong shaking was reported in areas close to the epicenter with weak-to-light shaking experienced as far south as Santiago. 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.

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.