6.1 Magnitude Earthquake Shakes Northern Chile; No Casualties Reported

SANTIAGO, Chile (AP) — A magnitude 6.1 earthquake struck northern Chile on Thursday, March 6, 2025, at 12:21 p.m. local time. The quake originated 104 kilometers (64 miles) southwest of San Pedro de Atacama, a town situated on the edge of the northern desert close to Chile’s border with Bolivia. No immediate reports of casualties or damage have surfaced, and a tsunami warning was not issued for the region.

The United States Geological Survey reported that the earthquake occurred at a depth of 93 kilometers (58 miles). In response, Chile’s national disaster agency classified the tremor as of “medium intensity” and announced that evaluations for potential damage would continue.

According to the agency, the quake did not meet the conditions necessary to generate a tsunami along the coast. Chilean authorities are focusing on monitoring the aftermath, stating, “we are closely assessing any possible impacts in the region.” The event serves as a reminder of the seismic risks that the country faces.

Chile is located in the “Ring of Fire,” an area along the Pacific coast where tectonic plates frequently collide, resulting in earthquakes and tsunamis. The country has experienced devastating seismic events in the past, including the magnitude 8.8 earthquake of 2010, which triggered a tsunami and resulted in the loss of 526 lives.

Since the 2010 disaster, Chile has implemented improved emergency protocols and building standards, incorporating shock-absorbing technologies to fortify structures against seismic activity. These efforts aim to mitigate damage and prevent loss of life in future earthquakes.