6.4-magnitude earthquake rattles Western Argentina: USGS
A 6.4- earthquake struck San Juan province, western Argentina, according to the US Geological Survey. The tremor was also felt across the border in the neighboring country of Chile, as reported by an eyewitness on Twitter. The tremor was originally measured at 6.7, but then downgraded to 6.4.
The epicenter of the quake was located at 25.75 kilometers southwest of San Juan, and about 290 kilometers northeast of Chile's capital Santiago,as reported by CBC.There have been no reports of casualties so far and no tsunami warning was issued, according to the USGS. However, there is also a possibility that poorly-constructed buildings may have been damaged, according to director of Argentina's seismic institute, Alejandro Guiliano.
In addition,the quake also didn't affect the operation of state-owned copper mining firm Codelco. Global miner Anglo American said that its Los Bronces copper mine in central Chile is still operating normally, despite being located near the quake's epicenter.
The San Juan quake was the second in eight days. On November 12, 2016, a 6.2 quake also shook the region with the depth of 99 kilometers. No injuries were also reported in last week's quake.
Residents who live in such a region prone to quake panic after feeling the floor shaking and seeing pictures frame falling from the wall.
Chile is prone to earthquake, situated on the Pacific Ring of Fire where tectonic plates collide. The strongest earthquake ever recorded was in 1960, when a 9.5 tremor struck the country. The quake occurred in Valdivia, in the country's southern part, so it is called the 1960 Valdivia earthquake.
The quake was preceded by three tremors in the city of Concepcion.
In February 2010, an 8.8 tremor devastated the country, killing around 500 people and triggering a tsunami. However, Chile is more prepared to quake as less casualties were reported, compared to the tremor in Haiti, which was rated 7.
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