Nine aftershocks following earthquake in Caravelí, Arequipa, Peru: authorities on alert, no new damages.

A total of nine aftershocks have been recorded this Saturday in the province of Caravelí, in the region of Arequipa, in southern Peru, following the magnitude 7 earthquake that shook the area last Friday. Fortunately, no new personal or material damages have been reported in this region, although authorities remain on alert and monitoring vulnerable areas. The National Emergency Operations Center (COEN) reported that the latest aftershock, measuring 4.7 in magnitude, was lightly felt by the population at 7:24 hours. This aftershock had its epicenter 27 kilometers south of the district of Lomas in Caravelí and a depth of 34 kilometers, according to the National Seismological Center. In addition to this aftershock, eight other seismic tremors have been registered in the early hours of Saturday, with the strongest measuring 6.4 in magnitude and with an epicenter 54 kilometers southwest of Chala. These seismic movements are keeping the population on alert, although no additional damages have been reported so far. The initial earthquake, measuring 7 in magnitude, occurred on Friday at 00:36 hours, with its epicenter in the sea 54 kilometers from the district of Yauca in the province of Caravelí. This event resulted in 10 injuries that were treated in healthcare centers in Ica and Arequipa, as well as 72 affected homes, seven of which were uninhabitable. Infrastructure was also affected, with damages to eight healthcare facilities, three educational institutions, seven public buildings, two bridges, 915 meters of road, 2,700 meters of irrigation canal, and 200 meters of water supply pipelines, as reported by Civil Defense. Despite these damages, the president of the Peruvian Geophysical Institute (IGP), Hernando Tavera, pointed out that the distance from the epicenter helped attenuate the waves and prevent greater damages. It is important to note that Peru is located in a geological region known as the Pacific Ring of Fire, where most of the seismic activity worldwide is recorded. The country has experienced devastating earthquakes in the past, such as the one in Pisco in 2007, which resulted in over 500 fatalities and significant material losses. Peruvian authorities continue to assess the situation and provide assistance to the communities affected by these seismic events. Prevention and preparedness for natural disasters are crucial in this highly seismic region, to minimize the devastating consequences that these phenomena can have on the population and infrastructure.