Earthquake Measuring 5.4 Rocks Argentina

A major earthquake was reported by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) on Sept. 28, 2015, following a series of tremors in South America. Today’s seismic activity so far has produced a 5.4 magnitude earthquake, 32 miles northwest of San Antonio de Los Cobres, Argentina. During the last 10 days, the adjoining countries of Argentina and Chile have experienced tremors measuring between 5.4 and 6.6 on the Richter Scale. Also, this morning, Honduras, which is approximately 3900 miles north of Argentina experienced 5.1 magnitude tremor, only 30 minutes earlier.

The seismic activity occurred on the Nazca plate region, which includes the offshore plate that has been jolting Chile’s coastal city, Coquimbo, for the past several weeks. The largest tremor measured an 8.3 on the Richter Scale Sept. 17, 2015. CNN reported one million people were evacuated before this earthquake, which also put the region on a tsunami watch, as far away as New Zealand, over 6,000 miles from the epicenter.

According to Earthquake Track, the Nazca tectonic plate region has experienced 116 tremors in the last year. This plate is located in the Ring Of Fire, which includes the coastal areas of Chile, Central America, the Western coastal region of North America and the islands in the Pacific Ocean, including Japan. The largest measured quake occurred in 1960, off the coast of Chile, at a 9.5 on the Richter Scale.

By Cathy Milne

Sources:
United States Geological Survey: M5.4 – 51km NW of San Antonio de Los Cobres, Argentina
SMS Tsunami Warning: Earthquakes – occurrence
Earthquake Report: Latest earthquakes in the world
Featured Photo Courtesy of Alexis’ Pixabay Page – CC0 Public Domain License

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