On Friday Evening a Strong M6.4 Earthquake struck near Curicó in Chile.

Written by Earthquakelist.org on December 13th, 2024. Last updated January 18th, 2025.

In the evening of Friday December 13th, 2024, a strong M6.4 earthquake hit under land 61 kilometer from Curicó in Chile. Roughly 6.8 million people may have felt this earthquake. Another nearby country is Argentina.

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Earthquake Summary

The earthquake struck on land in Chile, 61 kilometer (38 mi) south-east of Curicó in Maule Region. The center of this earthquake had an intermediate depth of 109 km.

Date and Time:	Dec 13, 2024 20:38 (Santiago Time) - Dec 13, 2024 23:38 Universal Time.
Location:	61 km SE of Curicó, Maule Region, Chile. Coordinates 35°19'48"S 70°43'32"W.
Map:	Map of area around epicenter. Click to open in Google Maps.
Magnitude:	MAG 6.4 Detected by 94 stations. Maximum Error Range ±0.032 .
Depth:	109 km (68 mi) An intermediate depth.
Max. Intensity:	VII Very Strong On the Modified Mercalli Scale.
Tsunami Risk:	Tsunami very unlikely Tsunami's are usually caused by MAG-6.5+ earthquakes, less than 100km shallow, and with an epicenter under sea. Neither of this seems to be the case. Always stay cautious - More info here.

Minimal impact predicted

The US Geographic Survey (USGS) describes the impact of this earthquake as follows:

Some buildings were damaged and there were power outages in the Los Rios-Santiago-Valparaiso area.

Based on scientific estimates by the USGS, the risk of high fatalities for this earthquake is classified at level GREEN (low). They expect an 65% likelyhood of between 0 and 1 fatalities, and a 96% chance that the number of fatalities falls no higher than 10.

The USGS classifies the economic impact of this earthquake at level GREEN (low). They expect an 100% likelyhood of between 0 and 1 million US Dollars in economic damage and impact.

Roughly 6.8 million people exposed to shaking

An estimated 6.8 million have been exposed to shaking (An MMI or Modified Mercalli Intensity level II or higher) as a result of this earthquake according scientific estimates published by the USGS.

Strong shaking and probably light damage may have been experienced by an estimated 42,670 people. At VI, it is the highest MMI level this earthquake has caused. The majority of people (roughly 5.2 million) live in an area exposed to level V, where moderate shaking and very light damage is expected.

People in 2 countries have been exposed to shaking. In Chile , around 6.7 million people, with impact levels up to VI (strong shaking, probably light damage). Shaking was experienced by inhabitants of Argentina too.

Nearby towns and cities

2 countries can be found within 300km of the epicenter of this earthquake: Chile and Argentina .

The closest significant population center near the earthquake is Molina in Maule Region, Chile. Molina is located 56 kilometer (35 mi) east-southeast of the epicenter. The intensity of shaking and damage in Molina is estimated to be around level V on the Modified Mercalli Intensity scale (moderate shaking, very light damage).

Multiple major population centers exist within 300km of the earthquake that struck today. Santiago is located 208 km to the north (intensity unknown, possibly low). Mendoza is located 323 km to the north-northeast (intensity unknown, possibly low). Puente Alto is located 192 km to the north and experienced an intensity of V (moderate shaking, very light damage).

The table below provides an overview of all places in proximity of today's earthquake. Where available, the estimated intensity on the Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale in each place is included. Places where this information is omitted likely experienced little impact.

Overview of nearby places

Earthquake Intensity Map

The maximum intensity (MMI Scale) caused by this earthquake is VI. The map below shows in which areas this earthquake was the most and least impactful. It is based on data from the US Geographic Survey.

I Not felt

II Weak

III Weak

IV Light

V Moderate

VI Strong

VII Very Strong

VIII Severe

IX Violent

X Extreme

Shaking reported by 398 people in 2 countries

People that feel an earthquake may report their experience to the US Geographic Survey. Currently, 398 people have reported shaking in 54 places in 2 countries (Argentina, Chile).We keep updating this article as more ground reports become available. You may report that you felt this earthquake here.

Places with most reports:

• Santiago, Metropolitana, Chile: 224 people.
• Viña del Mar, Valparaíso, Chile: 19 people.
• Puente Alto, Metropolitana, Chile: 13 people.
• San Bernardo, Metropolitana, Chile: 9 people.
• Concepción, Bío Bío, Chile: 8 people.
• Quilpué, Valparaíso, Chile: 8 people.
• Talca, Maule, Chile: 8 people.
• Lampa, Metropolitana, Chile: 8 people.
• Villa Alemana, Valparaíso, Chile: 7 people.
• Santa Cruz, Libertador General Bernardo OʿHiggins, Chile: 7 people.

6 Aftershocks detected

After this earthquake struck, 6 smaller aftershocks occurred. At a distance of 15 km (10 mi) west-northwest of this earthquake, an aftershock struck 3 days later. It measured a magnitude of 3.2

In the days before this main shock, 3 smaller foreshocks were detected. A 3.4 magnitude earthquake hit 12 hrs earlier nearby.

Overview of foreshocks and aftershocks

More earthquakes coming?

Earthquakes can create aftershocks. These are generally at least 1 magnitude lower than any main shock, and as time passes the chance and strength of aftershocks decreases.

In only six percent of cases, significant earthquakes are followed by a larger main shock, making the current earthquake a foreshock. While the chance of this happening is not so large, it is adviced to maintain cautiousness in the hours and days following a major earthquake.

This is the strongest earthquake in 5 years

Earthquakes of this strength occur quite regularly in the region. This is the strongest earthquake to hit since September 29th, 2019, when a 6.7 magnitude earthquake hit 222 km (138 mi) further west. An even stronger magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck on April 24th, 2017.

In total, 3 earthquakes with a magnitude of 6.4 or higher have been registered within 300km (186 mi) of this epicenter in the past 10 years. This comes down to an average of once every 3 years.

Tsunami very unlikely

It is very unlikely that this eartquake will cause any tsunami's. The reported magnitude is lower than the MAG-6.5 strength required to cause any earthquakes. In addition, this earthquake was not very shallow and appears to have occurred under land. However always stay cautious and monitor advice from local authorities.

Tsunami Risk Factors

Sources

Last updated 18/01/25 01:48 (). This article is automatically generated based on available data. We keep checking multiple sources for additional information. This article gets updated as new details on this earthquake become available.

1. US Geographic Society (USGS): Earthquake us7000nyqr
2. European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC): Earthquake 20241213_0000283
3. Geonames.org: World Cities Database
4. Google Maps: Static API
5. Earthquakelist.org: Historic Earthquakes Database

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