An earthquake of magnitude 7.2 shook the Andean region of Ayacucho, in southern Peru, this Thursday, reports the Geophysical Institute of Peru (IGP), detailing that the epicenter has been located 35 kilometers from the town of Cora Cora, with no personal or material damage reported so far.
The movement had a depth of 108 kilometers and an epicenter located approximately 175 kilometers south-southeast of Ayacucho and 40 kilometers northeast of Tambo.
The earthquake has reached an intensity of III-IV in Coracora, a city located about 650 kilometers south of Lima, where the movement has also been perceived, although slightly.
The Regional Emergency Operations Center (COEN) has confirmed the information about the characteristics of the earthquake, but has not yet offered details about possible damage, despite the fact that local media have reported rockfalls and some damage to homes in Ayacucho.
In this regard, the head of the IGP, Hernando Tavera, has said that “for now nothing critical has happened” but they continue with the evaluation of the situation generated.
Peru is located in an area known as the Pacific Ring of Fire, where 80% of the world’s seismic activity occurs.
Last July, the Junín region, neighboring Lima, suffered a series of earthquakes with a maximum magnitude of 5.4, which caused the death of five people, hundreds of victims and the destruction of dozens of homes.
The last devastating earthquake in the country was recorded in 2007 in the southern region of Ica, where a 7.9 magnitude earthquake caused the death of about 500 people and millions of property losses.
The Peru earthquake was perceived as “strong”
The head of Indeci, Luis Vázquez, confirmed on the RPP radio station that no damage has yet been reported, although they are waiting for more “validated and accurate” information.
“So far no damage has been reported. However, we are trying to find information about the closest places, because they are hamlets that are far away,” said Vásquez.
He warned, however, that in these areas the homes are normally made of rustic material, which makes them more likely to collapse due to seismic movements.
The Indeci report details that the seismic movement was perceived as “strong” in the districts of Coracora, Chumpi, Coronel Castañeda, Pacapausa, Pullo, Puyusca, San Francisco de Ravavayco and Upahuacho, in the province of Parinacochas, in the Ayacucho region; as well as in the district of Nazca, in the neighboring region of Ica.
In addition, it was felt “moderate” in the jurisdictions of Ica and Pisco, and was perceived “mild” in the districts of Aymaraes, Cotabamba and Andahuaylas in the Apurímac region; and in Omate, Chojata, Coalaque, Ichuña, La Capilla, Lloque, Matalaque, Puquina, Quinistaquillas, Ubinas and Yunga, in the Moquegua region.
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