A significant earthquake measuring 6.1 magnitude shook waters off Peru's northern coast on Saturday evening local time, according to data from the China Earthquake Networks Center. The tremor occurred at 9:51 p.m. near Chimbote city in Ancash region, with its epicenter located 100 kilometers below the Earth's surface.
While the Geophysical Institute of Peru reported a slightly lower magnitude of 6.0, both monitoring agencies confirmed the quake's occurrence in this seismically active zone known as the Pacific Ring of Fire. Authorities have not received reports of casualties or structural damage as of Sunday morning, though coastal communities remain vigilant for potential aftershocks.
The incident highlights ongoing geological activity along South America's western edge, where the Nazca Plate subducts beneath the South American Plate. Seismologists note this latest event follows typical patterns for intermediate-depth quakes in the region, which often dissipate energy before reaching the surface.
