The National Seismological Center recorded several low-intensity earthquakes in various regions of Chile on this Sunday, December 7. Most of these movements were imperceptible due to the country's location at the boundary of the Nazca and South American plates. Senapred provides safety recommendations for such events.
Chile experienced a series of minor earthquakes on Sunday, December 7, monitored by the National Seismological Center of the University of Chile. These seismic events, common in the subduction zone between the Nazca and South American tectonic plates, occurred across various parts of the national territory without reports of significant damage.
The earthquakes were distributed throughout the day. At 15:05, a magnitude 3.9 tremor was felt 96 km south of Socaire, at a depth of 187 km. Earlier, at 13:56, another of 3.5 occurred 75 km northwest of San Antonio de los Cobres, at 230 km depth. At 12:44, a 3.9 quake struck 72 km west of Arica, just 38 km below the surface. In the morning, at 08:47, a 3.3 was recorded 19 km west of Ancud, depth 33 km; at 07:13, a 3.0 at 27 km west of Punitaqui, 73 km depth; and the day's strongest, 4.1 at 06:35, 140 km west of Constitución, at 21 km. Before dawn, at 03:25, 02:55, and 02:09, tremors of 3.4, 3.2, and 3.1 were detected near Socaire, Pica, and San Pedro de Atacama, with depths from 98 to 256 km.
In response to such events, the National Service for Prevention and Response to Disasters (Senapred) urges staying calm and seeking shelter under sturdy furniture or beside it. It recommends cutting off electricity and closing water and gas valves. Outdoors, stay away from buildings, poles, and wires; at large gatherings, protect head and neck while following security instructions; and when driving on elevated structures, slow down and stop after exiting.