LEBU, CHILE / Content Syndication Services / — A magnitude 5.8 earthquake struck near the coast of central Chile late Saturday, shaking parts of the country’s south-central region and prompting official monitoring agencies to assess conditions across several areas. The shallow tremor was recorded near Lebu in the Biobío Region, one of the country’s seismically active coastal zones.
Chile’s National Seismological Center placed the earthquake at about 43 kilometers east of Lebu, with an estimated depth of 10 kilometers. The event occurred at 10:34 p.m. local time on Saturday, corresponding to 02:34 GMT on Sunday. Initial international seismic readings also placed the quake near the coast of central Chile at a similar depth.
The tremor was felt across multiple regions, including Maule, Ñuble, Biobío, La Araucanía and Los Ríos. Reported shaking intensities varied by location, with stronger effects recorded in parts of Biobío, Ñuble and La Araucanía. Chilean authorities said there were no immediate reports of injuries, major structural damage or disruptions to basic services.
Tsunami risk ruled out
The Hydrographic and Oceanographic Service of the Chilean Navy said the earthquake did not meet the conditions required to generate a tsunami along Chile’s coast. That assessment helped narrow the official response to local impact checks, damage verification and monitoring of aftershock activity in communities that reported stronger shaking.
The Biobío Region has experienced frequent seismic activity due to Chile’s location along the boundary between the Nazca and South American tectonic plates. Chile has strict building standards and established emergency protocols because of its exposure to powerful earthquakes, particularly along its long Pacific coastline. The latest quake added to a series of moderate tremors recorded in the country this year.
Authorities monitor affected areas
Chile’s National Seismological Center continued to list the event among recent earthquakes affecting the national territory, while emergency officials reviewed field information from municipalities and regional offices. The Hydrographic and Oceanographic Service of the Chilean Navy maintained that no tsunami threat had been identified after its technical evaluation of the quake.
No evacuation order was reported, and public services were operating normally in the immediate aftermath. Local assessments focused on areas nearest the epicenter and communities where shaking was felt more strongly. The earthquake underscored the importance of Chile’s seismic monitoring network in providing rapid public information after offshore and coastal tremors.