Magnitude 6.2 quake strikes northern Chile: macroseismic analysis

Seismologists say a magnitude-6.2 earthquake has struck off Chile’s northern coast, alarming local residents but causing no reported damage. The U.S. Geological Survey says the quake hit at 7:59 a.m. (8:59 EDT; 1259 GMT) and it was centered 60 miles (96 kilometers) north-northwest of the coastal city of Iquique. Chile’s national emergency office said there were no reports of damage or problems with infrastructure. Officials discounted any possible tsunami. They had evacuated thousands of people from the shore last week as a precaution after a magnitude-6.7 quake in the same region.

Macroseismic analysis

Earthquake epicenter: Iquique, Chile
Date 22/03/2014           UTC 12:59:58
Latitude 19.77° S           Longitude 70.94° W
Magnitude 6.2           Depth 15.2 Km
The following analysis shows the macroseismical effects based on a model hereby displayed. The reported macroseismic effects may vary (one or two levels, up or down) depending on the characteristics of local geology or buildings. If not expressly indicated, earthquake perception is intended during the day. Peak ground acceleration is expressed in cm/s².
Values and terms do not coincide with other seismic scales.
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Nearby cities 109 Km far from the epicenter:
Iquique, Alto Hospicio
7- Moderate earthquake 20 < PGA < 40 ( IV MCS )
Inside the houses, many people feel the earthquake. Seismic vibration is very intense and wakes up who’s sleeping. Chandeliers oscillate widely. Windows and objects shake;People are scared; many of them get out of buildings. Outside many people clearly feel the earthquake and hear the preceeding roar. Buildings are not externally damaged. Many reports arrive from the affected area.
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Nearby cities from 109 Km to 181 Km far from the epicenter:
Huara, Arica, Pozo Almonte
6- Mild earthquake 10 < PGA < 20 ( III – IV MCS )
Lots of people inside buildings feel a strong seismic vibration. Chandeliers oscillate noticeably; crakles and tinkles can be heard. Someone of those who sleep, wakes up. Several people prefer to go outside, as a safety measure. Outside several people feel the vibration, they clearly hear that particular sound preceeding the earthquake. Many reports arrive through the internet.
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Nearby cities from 181 Km to 298 Km far from the epicenter:
Tacna, Ilo, Tocopilla, Moquegua, Sabaya
5- Light earthquake 5 < PGA < 10 ( III MCS )
Inside buildings, some people feel a vibration. Chandeliers oscillate; A tinkle of glasses shattered can be heard. Someone decides to go outside, as a safety measure. Outside only a few people feel the earthquake; before the event, a few people hear a noise, like a far away thunder. From the affected area many reports arrive.
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Nearby cities from 298 Km to 493 Km far from the epicenter:
La Paz, Totora, Toledo, Calama, Umala, Arequipa, Mollendo, Viacha, Antofagasta
4- Weak earthquake 2.5 < PGA < 5.0 ( II – III MCS )
A relevant number of people, inside buildings in in quietness, feels a moderate vibration. Chandeliers oscillate; a tinkle of glasses shattering can be heard. People who perceive these effects feel apprehension. Outside, only a few people feel the earthquake; someone hears a low frequency noise. A few reports arrive through the internet.
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Nearby cities from 493 Km to 812 Km far from the epicenter:
Salta, Potosì, Sucre, Cochabamba, Yacuiba, Tarija, Cusco, Taltal, La Santisima Trinidad
3- Tenuous earthquake 1.2 < PGA < 2.5 ( II MCS )
In the higest and middle floors, a few people perceive a light vibration. Chandeliers oscillate. People feel apprehension. Outside, almost nobody feels the earthquake.From the affected area, only a few reports arrive; sometimes a light sound is heard.
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Nearby cities from 812 Km to 1339 Km far from the epicenter:
Lima, Santa Cruz, Chuyayacu, Ica, Huancayo, Copiapò, La Serena, San Miguel
2- Insignificant earthquake 0.6 < PGA < 1.2 ( I – II MCS )
In the highest floors and in quietness, a few people feel a very light vibration, but there isn’t any concern. Outside nobody feels anything. No sound of the earthquake can be heard. Only a few reports arrive through the internet.
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Nearby cities from 1339 Km to 2208 Km far from the epicenter:
Santiago, Buenos Aires, Asuncion, Cordoba, Guayaquil, Rosario, Manaus
1- Unperceivable earthquake 0.3 < PGA < 0.6 ( I MCS )
The intensity is irrelevant; the earthquake is recorded by seismic stations in the region. Even in the best-case scenario, almost nobody feels the shaking, not even in the highest floors. No reports come from the area.
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Cities beyond 2208 Km from the epicenter.
0- Instrumental earthquake PGA < 0.3 ( I MCS )
Earthquake is unsubstantial; it is recorded by seismic stations with advanced instruments. Even in the best-case scenario, people don’t feel the earthquake.
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