Magnitude 3.8 earthquake shakes northern Chile: the strongest of the seven seismic movements of the day. Concern without material damage. Prevention measures for seismic activity.

An earthquake of magnitude 3.8 shook the northern area of Chile on Wednesday afternoon, being the strongest among the seven seismic movements recorded in the country on July 17th. According to the National Seismological Center, the epicenter of this tremor was located 50 kilometers north of San Pedro de Atacama, in the Antofagasta Region, at a depth of 147 kilometers. At 13:21 hours, this earthquake caused concern among the residents of the northern Chilean region, reminding them of the constant seismic activity in the country. Despite its magnitude, no material damages or casualties were reported as a result of this event, which alerted the local population. The second strongest earthquake recorded on that day took place in the Arica and Parinacota Region, with a magnitude of 3.6 and an epicenter located 35 kilometers northeast of Tacna, near the border with Peru. This seismic movement occurred at 09:43 hours, at a depth of 102 kilometers, causing unease among the residents of that region. Furthermore, two earthquakes of magnitude 3.4 were recorded on the same day. The first one occurred at 03:12 hours, with an epicenter 33 kilometers northeast of Camiña, in the Tarapacá Region, at a depth of 115 kilometers. This seismic event was followed by another tremor of the same magnitude at 05:58 hours, with an epicenter six kilometers southwest of Canela Baja, in the Coquimbo Region. The succession of these earthquakes has kept the Chilean population on alert, reminding them of the need to be prepared for possible natural events of this kind. Emergency organizations and local authorities have urged citizens to remain calm and follow safety protocols in case of future seismic movements. Although Chile is a seismically active country with solid emergency infrastructure and protocols, it is essential for the population to always be alert and prepared to face risk situations such as earthquakes. Prevention and education in civil protection are key to minimizing the impacts of these natural phenomena. In this context, the importance of timely and accurate information from competent authorities is highlighted, as well as the collaboration and solidarity of the community in times of crisis. Coordination among the various actors involved in emergency management is essential to ensure an effective and efficient response to events such as the earthquakes that have affected various regions of the country. Faced with the uncertainty generated by earthquakes, it is essential to remain calm, follow the instructions of authorities, and be prepared with an emergency kit and a family contingency plan. Prevention and civic awareness are key tools to resiliently face the challenges posed by seismic activity in Chile, a country accustomed to coexisting with the forces of nature.