An earthquake of 6.8 magnitude hit the Pacific off the coast of Chile on September 29, according to recently released reports by the United States Geological Survey (USGS). The USGS later explained that there are low chances of casualties and damage, unlike the previous earthquake that occurred 41 miles (66km) west-southwest of Constitution, Chile with magnitude 7.2. The Chile’s National Seismological Center (CSN) put the quake at 6.6 magnitude.  

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No casualties reported

Chile’s National Emergency Office (ONEMI) informed that despite the earthquake’s strong magnitude, there were no reports of injuries or deaths or impact on the basic services or damage to infrastructure. However there are no Tsunami warnings, advisories, watches or threats followed by the earthquake, as per the US Tsunami Warning System. Observing the geographical location of Chile, it is found that it is highly prone to earthquakes.  

In the year 1960, the Valdivia earthquake with magnitude 9.5 was the strongest ever recorded on the magnitude scale, according to the USGS. Chile lies on the Ring of Fire, an arc of fault lines that circles the Pacific Basin and is prone to frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. 

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Deadly History of earthquakes at Chile

Chile has a long history of deadly earthquakes, including the massive 2010 earthquake of magnitude 8.8, off the south-central coast that triggered a tsunami devastating coastal towns. 

Sunday's earthquake was initially recorded as a magnitude 7.2, before being downgraded to a 6.8 quake. Hundreds of people have reported feeling shaking from the earthquake. Chile, located on the deadly active area also known as the Ring of Fire, a horseshoe-shaped area along the Pacific basin in which around 90 per cent of the world's earthquakes and about 81 per cent of the world's largest earthquakes occur.

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The movement and collisions occurring at the lithospheric plates are also known as plate tectonics formed the Ring of Fire. In 2010 a magnitude 8.8 quake struck in a similar location to the one on Sunday and was felt strongly in six Chilean regions, from Valparaíso in the north to Araucanía in the south. 

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