7.2 magnitude earthquake hits southern Peru, tsunami warnings issued

7.2 magnitude earthquake strikes southern Peru, tsunami warnings issued

A powerful earthquake, with a magnitude of 7.2 on the Richter scale struck off the coast of Peru Friday as reported by the United States Geological Survey (USGS). The USGS confirmed that there is no longer a threat of a tsunami resulting from this earthquake.

The epicenter of the quake was 8.8 kilometers (5.5 miles) from the Atiquipa district according to USGS data. Initially, there was an overestimation of the earthquake intensity when it was first reported.

USGS stated that areas near the epicenter would have felt tremors due to the earthquake. Although earlier warnings from the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center mentioned tsunami waves" along certain coasts it was later verified that this threat had subsided.

Peru, home to around 33 million people is situated along the Pacific Ring of Fire renowned for intense activity, along America's west coast. The nation encounters earthquakes annually.