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Strong Earthquake Strikes Ayacucho, Peru, as Agencies Disagree on Magnitude

Inspection teams are assessing local damage after reports of injured residents and damaged homes and public buildings.

Overview

  • The quake hit central-southern Peru on Thursday, August 20, with the USGS giving a preliminary magnitude of 6.7 and Peru’s Geophysical Institute reporting an initial 7.2.
  • The USGS located the epicenter about 38 km northwest of Upahuacho at roughly 66–67 km depth while the IGP placed the epicenter nearer Coracora with a deeper depth.
  • Authorities report at least two people were injured and dozens of homes plus several health centers and schools were damaged in districts including Puquio, Pullo, Coracora and Upahuacho.
  • The Peruvian Navy and tsunami centers said there is no tsunami threat and the USGS issued a Green alert meaning a low likelihood of widespread fatalities or economic loss.
  • Officials have dispatched Civil Defence teams and the housing minister to inspect affected communities as crews check for landslides and assess how vulnerable local building types may increase future risk.