A significant earthquake measuring 7.4 on the Richter scale hit northern Chile on Thursday, according to the United States Geological Survey. The epicenter was situated 265 kilometers east of Antofagasta, a coastal city, at a depth of 126 kilometers.
Chilean President Gabriel Boric shared on X that there have been no reports of injuries or substantial damage thus far, but information is being collected by teams. The UAE's seismic network detected the earthquake at 5:50 AM, registering it at a magnitude of 7.1, as stated by the National Centre of Meteorology.
Chile lies along the Pacific 'Ring of Fire', a zone of frequent seismic activity that extends from Japan through Southeast Asia and across the Pacific basin. In 2010, an 8.8-magnitude earthquake triggered a tsunami that devastated villages in the south and center of the country, resulting in approximately 520 fatalities.
Surrounded by the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Andes mountain range to the east, Chile is one of the most seismically active nations globally. The epicenter of Thursday's earthquake was approximately 50 miles from Chile's border with Argentina and less than 20 miles from its border with Bolivia.
