1995 Antofagasta earthquake

The subduction rupture off northern Chile struck the Antofagasta region at 1:15 local time, as reported by the European Southern Observatory, whose Paranal and La Silla staff were in the affected area. A finite-source rupture model built from body and surface waves spanning periods of 20 to 290 seconds found a smooth overall rupture that accentuated directivity and reduced shaking intensity, with three zones of enhanced moment rate: near the epicentre, 50 to 80 km south of it, and 110 to 140 km south. Magnitude estimates differ, the rupture study giving Mw 8.1 and contemporary reports 7.8 on the Richter scale.

Origin time (UTC)

1995-07-30T05:11

Magnitude

8

Magnitude type

mw

Depth (km)

45.6

USGS event page

earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/usp000714t

Category: Disasters & Incidents

Tags: chile, antofagasta, subduction, rupture model

Coordinates: -23.34, -70.294

Part of Earthquakes of magnitude 7.5 and above in South America since 1990

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