Strong M6.2 Earthquake struck on Wednesday Morning 124km from Arequipa in Peru

Strong M6.2 Earthquake struck on Wednesday Morning 124km from Arequipa in Peru

Under land 124 kilometer from Arequipa in Peru, a strong M6.2 earthquake occurred in the morning of Wednesday December 20th, 2023. Around 2.1 million people have been exposed to shaking.

The earthquake struck on land in Peru, 124 kilometer (77 mi) west-northwest of Arequipa. The center of this earthquake had an intermediate depth of 93 km.

The USGS has published a report estimating the number of people exposed to this earthquake. Acoording to their analysis, roughly 2.1 million have been exposed to shaking at an MMI level of II or higher. 

The highest earthquake impact level for this earthquake is V, which corresponds with moderate shaking and very light damage. Roughly 71,370 people are expected to be exposed to this level. Intensity level IV was experienced by the majority of people (around 2 million). In their region, light shaking and likely no damage can be expected. All exposure to shaking was within the borders of Peru

This earthquake may have been felt in Peru . Located 63 kilometer (39 mi) northwest of the epicenter of this earthquake, El Pedregal (Arequipa, Peru) is the nearest significant population center. The intensity of shaking and damage in El Pedregal is estimated to be around level V on the Modified Mercalli Intensity scale (moderate shaking, very light damage).

Multiple large cities are in proximity of today's earthquake. Arequipa is located 124 km to the east-southeast and experienced an intensity of IV (light shaking, likely no damage). Cusco is located 279 km to the north-northeast (intensity unknown, possibly low). Juliacais located 269 km to the east (intensity unknown, possibly low). 

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.

Earthquakes of this strength occur quite regularly in the region. This is the strongest earthquake to hit since May 26th, 2022, when a 7.2 magnitude earthquake hit 274 km (170 mi) further east-northeast. That was also the heaviest earthquake to hit the region in the past 10 years. 

In total, 5 earthquakes with a magnitude of 6.2 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 2 years.