CNN
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A powerful earthquake measuring 7.2 in magnitude struck southern Peru off the coast overnight on Friday, with a depth of 28 kilometers (17 miles), as reported by the United States Geological Survey (USGC).
The earthquake occurred 8 kilometers (5 miles) west of Atiquipa, approximately 600 kilometers (372 miles) south of Lima, the capital city.
Residents of Atiquipa reported feeling a prolonged and intense shaking that caused their beds to vibrate, as shared on social media.
CCTV footage captured from Caraveli, a nearby town, shows violent shaking on a residential street and people rushing out of their homes.
The tremors were felt even in Lima, with videos shared on social media showing lamps swinging inside homes.
Initially, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) issued an alert cautioning about potential tsunami waves of 1 to 3 meters along some coastal areas in Peru. However, the alert was later lifted with no tsunami warning, advisory, or threat in place.
The PTWC stated, “There is no longer a tsunami threat from this earthquake.”
The Peruvian Presidency mentioned that they are actively monitoring the situation and assessing any potential damages.
Peru, along with most of the South American Pacific Coast, lies on the boundary of two tectonic plates: the South American plate covering most of the continent and the Nazca plate extending across the Pacific along the coast.
This story is developing and will be updated as more information becomes available.
