On Thursday, August 20th, a strong earthquake with a magnitude of 6.7 struck in central Peru. Due to its deep source, the earthquake did not cause significant casualties or property damage, but the shaking was felt widely, with residents in many areas experiencing noticeable tremors.
According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the earthquake was measured at a magnitude of 6.7 with a depth of about 99 kilometers. The epicenter was located approximately 31 kilometers northwest of Aniso in the Ayacucho region of the Andes Mountains. The initial magnitude measured by the Peruvian Geophysical Institute (IGP) was as high as 7.2.
Hernando Tavera, the director of the Peruvian Geophysical Institute, stated that due to the depth of the earthquake’s source, the energy was significantly weakened when it reached the surface, effectively preventing major destruction.
The mountainous towns of Puquio and Coracora, closer to the epicenter, experienced intense shaking. Local residents reported that the ground was visibly and continuously shaking during the earthquake, prompting many to evacuate and seek refuge on the streets out of concern for their homes.
Mayor Yony Odon of Coracora mentioned in an interview with a local television station, “The public responded swiftly, evacuating and seeking shelter immediately.”
Tavera pointed out that this was a “wave-type” earthquake. Unlike the “tremor-type” earthquakes with intense vertical shaking, wave-type earthquakes mainly exhibit horizontal swaying. However, due to the steep terrain of the Andes Mountains, Tavera warned that, “Because of the high magnitude, there is still a possibility of landslides or falling rocks blocking mountain roads in the aftermath.”
Videos on social media showed that the intense shaking in the Andes Mountains near the epicenter caused partial landslides, resulting in significant dust clouds. Apart from the surrounding areas of the epicenter, the historic city of Cusco, over 200 kilometers away, also experienced moderate shaking, while residents in high-rise buildings in Lima, 450 kilometers away, could still feel slight tremors.
Peru is located in the Pacific Ring of Fire, the most seismically active region in the world where about 90% of earthquakes occur. Although this strong earthquake did not result in casualties, Peru is prone to shallow earthquakes, and many buildings are constructed using adobe and quincha (a wood-mud mixture), making them susceptible to damage. Currently, Peruvian authorities along with civil defense departments remain vigilant, confirming no reports of structural damage or casualties nationwide as a result of the earthquake.