Chile Hit By Powerful 7.3-Magnitude Earthquake: USGS Reports

A magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck near Antofagasta in Chile on Thursday evening, as reported by the United States Geological Survey (USGS). The earthquake occurred at a depth of 128 km, 265 km east of Antofagasta at 9:51 pm local time. No immediate damage has been reported, and no tsunami warning has been issued according to AFP.

Chile, located on the Pacific Ocean's "Ring of Fire," is one of the world's most earthquake-prone countries, experiencing numerous significant seismic events throughout its history. Notably, Chile experienced the strongest recorded earthquake, a 9.5 magnitude quake in 1960 in Valdivia. Other major earthquakes in Chile's history include:

• 1965: 7.4 magnitude at La Ligua, resulting in 400 deaths.
• 1971: 7.5 magnitude in the Valparaiso region, with 90 deaths.
• 1985: 7.8 magnitude offshore Valparaiso, resulting in 177 deaths.
• 2005: 7.8 magnitude in Tarapaca, northern Chile, causing 11 deaths.
• 2007: 7.7 magnitude in Antofagasta, causing 2 deaths.
• 2010: 8.8 magnitude quake and subsequent tsunami, resulting in over 500 deaths.

In January 2024, a 5.3 magnitude earthquake struck the northern Chilean region of Tarapaca at a depth of 118 km, but no loss was reported at that time.

(With agency inputs)