Strong M6.4 earthquake hits Atacama, Chile
A strong earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.4 hit Atacama, Chile, at 17:15 UTC (13:15 local time) on June 6, 2025. The agency is reporting a depth of 76.6 km (48 miles). CSN Chile is reporting M6.4 at a depth of 65 km (40 miles).
Epicenter of M6.4 earthquake in Chile, Atacama on June 6, 2025. Credit: TW/SAM, Google
The epicenter was located 52 km (32 miles) WSW of Diego de Almagro (population 18 137), 82 km (51 miles) N of Copiapo (population 129 280), and 137 km (86 miles) S of Taltal (population 10 018), Chile. This area is characterized by remote desert expanses and sparse population.
163 000 people are estimated to have felt moderate shaking, and 83 000 light.
Based on all available data, there is no tsunami threat from this earthquake.
The USGS issued a Green alert for shaking-related fatalities and economic losses. There is a low likelihood of casualties and damage.
Overall, the population in this region resides in structures that are resistant to earthquake shaking, though vulnerable structures exist. The predominant vulnerable building types are adobe block and rubble/field stone masonry construction.
Recent earthquakes in this area have caused secondary hazards such as landslides that might have contributed to losses.
Chile lies along the seismically active boundary where the Nazca Plate subducts beneath the South American Plate, making this region prone to earthquakes.
Estimated population exposure to earthquake shaking
Selected cities exposed
Regional seismicity
References:
1 M6.4 earthquake Atacama, Chile – USGS – June 6, 2025
2 M6.4 earthquake Atacama, Chile – CSN – June 6, 2025
I'm a dedicated researcher, journalist, and editor at The Watchers. With over 20 years of experience in the media industry, I specialize in hard science news, focusing on extreme weather, seismic and volcanic activity, space weather, and astronomy, including near-Earth objects and planetary defense strategies. You can reach me at teo /at/ watchers.news.
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