No Tsunami Threat Reported
6.6 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Southern Peru With No Reports of Damage or Casualties
Key Points
Geophysical depth estimates for the quake vary significantly by source: GFZ reported a shallow 10 km depth, while USGS-based reports list depths around 66 km (66.7 km cited in some articles), illustrating uncertainty in early seismic measurements.
The USGS origin analysis involved a large dataset: 123 stations and 123 phases were used to determine the event’s origin.
The epicenter is reported to be near Upahuacho in Ayacucho, approximately 24 miles (38 km) northwest of the town.
USGS coordinates for the quake’s epicenter are documented as 14.626°S, 73.616°W in one report.
Pacific tsunami monitoring authorities, such as the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, reported no tsunami threat following the quake.
A magnitude 6.6–6.7 earthquake shook Peru's southern Andes near Upahuacho in the Ayacucho region on Thursday afternoon, according to USGS and multiple news outlets. The tremor was felt across southern Peru, including the regions of Ica and Arequipa, but PBS and The Independent confirmed there were no immediate reports of damage or casualties.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center reported no tsunami threat following the quake. Peru sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire, making earthquakes a regular occurrence in the region. GV Wire noted the epicenter was located approximately 24 miles northwest of Upahuacho.
Depth Estimates Vary Widely Across Agencies
Seismic agencies reported significantly different depths for the earthquake. GFZ estimated a shallow depth of just 10 kilometers, while USGS-based reports listed depths around 66–66.7 kilometers. This variation reflects how different agencies use distinct datasets and interpretation methods to pinpoint where the quake originated underground.
Massive Dataset Used to Pinpoint the Epicenter
The USGS employed a large network of seismic stations to locate the quake's exact position. According to the agency's analysis, 123 seismic stations and 123 measurement phases contributed to determining the earthquake's origin. The final coordinates were calculated as 14.626°S, 73.616°W, placing the epicenter about 38 kilometers northwest of Upahuacho in Peru's Ayacucho region.
Why Magnitude Reports Range From 6.6 to 6.7
Different seismic centers issued slightly different magnitude estimates for the same earthquake. PBS and GV Wire reported a magnitude of 6.7, while other sources cited 6.6. These small variations occur because agencies use different magnitude scales and processing methods. Early rapid estimates get refined as more seismic data streams in from monitoring stations worldwide.
Why Southern Regions Felt the Quake But Stayed Safe
The earthquake's depth of roughly 66 kilometers and distance from major population centers helped limit surface damage. St. Albert Gazette and Greenwich Time reported that residents in Ica and Arequipa felt the tremor, but no structural damage was documented. Deeper earthquakes generally cause less ground shaking at the surface, protecting buildings and infrastructure in surrounding areas.
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