At 1:15 p.m. local time (1715 GMT), a magnitude 6.4 earthquake hit Chile’s Atacama region, with the epicenter located 54 kilometers south of Diego de Almagro and nearly 950 kilometers north of the capital, Santiago, according to the University of Chile’s National Seismological Center. The quake originated at a depth of 65 kilometers and was felt across several nearby towns.

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Local media reported blackouts in multiple areas. Authorities confirmed that no deaths or major structural damage have been recorded so far, but a detailed damage report is expected later in the day.

Chile’s Navy Hydrographic and Oceanographic Service confirmed there is no tsunami threat.

The National Disaster Prevention and Response System (SENAPRED) remains on high alert and is coordinating with regional authorities to assess any impact on critical services and infrastructure.

The quake hit a region that plays a crucial role in Chile’s economy. Atacama is home to some of the world’s largest copper and lithium reserves—minerals essential to the global energy transition. Any disruption in mining operations could have broader consequences for both local communities and global markets.

Chile sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire, one of the world’s most seismically active zones. The country has developed advanced emergency systems and building codes designed to reduce the impact of such events, though vulnerability remains high in many rural and industrial zones.

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