Overview
- The quake struck on Thursday, August 20, and was widely felt across southern Peru, with residents reporting strong shaking in towns near the epicenter and light shaking in Lima and other cities.
- The U.S. Geological Survey logged the event as magnitude 6.7 at about 66–67 km depth while Peru’s Geophysical Institute initially put it at 7.2 and 108 km depth, a discrepancy that affects impact expectations and is under review by experts.
- Peruvian authorities reported at least two people injured and localized damage to roughly two dozen homes, multiple health centers and several schools in districts of Ayacucho and parts of Cusco.
- Emergency agencies and the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said there is no tsunami threat, and the USGS issued a Green alert indicating a low likelihood of major fatalities or widespread economic loss.
- Response teams are carrying out field inspections and government officials are visiting affected communities, with officials warning that vulnerable local building types and hillside rockfalls remain the primary hazards to watch for.