Strong earthquake strikes northern Peru

Strong earthquake strikes northern Peru
Strong earthquake strikes northern Peru

An earthquake witha magnitude as high as 8.0 stuck northern Peru in the early hours of Sundaymorning, the United States Geological Survey reported.

The quake, at an"intermediate depth" of around 110 kilometres, was felt around thecountry and even hundreds of miles away in the capital city of Lima, localauthorities reported.

There were noinitial reports of casualties or of significant damage.

Intermediate depthquakes typically cause less surface damage than shallower tremors. Peru sits onthe so-called Pacific "Ring of Fire" where the majority of theworld's seismic activity occurs.

"There are noreports of casualties nor of major material damage at this point," HernánTalavera, head of the Geophysical Institute of Peru (IGP), told local radiostation RPP.

The earthquake wasaround 75km SSE of Lagunas and 180 km east of the town of Moyobamba the USGSsaid.

There were localreports of electric power cuts in the cities of Iquitos and Tarapoto, Amazoniantowns in the Loreto region of the country. Pictures and videos online alsoshowed some cracked and damaged walls.

Peruvian PresidentMartin Vizcarra said on Twitter that authorities were "evaluating theaffected areas" and urged people to remain calm.

Related Stories

No stories found.
logo
Ajel
english.ajel.sa