A magnitude 5.2 earthquake shook the southern coast of Peru on Sunday morning, though authorities have confirmed that the tremor resulted in no casualties or structural damage. According to the United States Geological Survey, the seismic event occurred at 8:43 a.m. local time.
The quake's epicenter was located 18 kilometers (11 miles) southeast of the city of Camaná, situated in the department of Arequipa. The geological activity took place at a depth of 44.9 kilometers (28 miles).
Peru’s Emergency Operations Center issued a statement via social media noting that local residents perceived the movement as ranging from "light to moderate." The agency officially ruled out any tsunami risks following the tremor and stated that ongoing assessments of potentially vulnerable areas are being conducted.
The region is located along the "Ring of Fire," a 40,000-kilometer (25,000-mile) arc of fault lines and volcanoes surrounding the Pacific Basin, which is the site of the majority of the world's earthquakes. Recent seismic activity in the region has been notable; in August, a 6.7 magnitude earthquake in the Peruvian Andes caused injuries to two people and damaged various schools, health centers, and homes. Additionally, a 5.5-magnitude quake in the Junín region in July resulted in 30 injuries and six deaths. Meanwhile, a powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck Panama on Friday, also located along the Ring of Fire, leaving 27 people injured.
