Earthquakes today: A 5.6-magnitude earthquake struck Chile’s Antofagasta region on Monday, shortly followed by a stronger 6.1-magnitude earthquake in the North Pacific, according to global seismological agencies. While there were no immediate reports of damage, authorities are monitoring both regions for aftershocks and potential impacts.
Where did the earthquake occur?
The European-Mediterranean Seismological Center (EMSC) confirmed that the earthquake in Chile occurred at a depth of 62 km, placing it at a medium depth where tremors are felt but tend to cause limited damage to the surface.
However, the North Pacific earthquake was significantly shallower.
According to the National Center for Seismology (NCS), the earthquake occurred at a depth of 10 km, near latitude 39.64 N and longitude 143.51 E.
In a statement on X NCS said: “EQ M: 6.1, Date: 10/11/2025 12:53:18 IST, Lat: 39.64 N, Long: 143.51 E, Depth: 10 km, Location: North Pacific Ocean.”
Why are shallow earthquakes more dangerous?
Earthquakes that strike closer to the surface usually produce stronger and more damaging tremors.
Shallow seismic events release energy directly into the crust, meaning tremors travel less distance before reaching urban and coastal settlements. This increases the risk of structural damage, landslides and tsunamis depending on the location.
Are these tremors linked to the Pacific ‘Ring of Fire’?
Both earthquakes occurred in the Pacific seismic belt, commonly known as the Ring of Fire, an area responsible for nearly 90% of the world’s earthquakes.
The Ring of Fire marks the boundaries where massive tectonic plates collide to form subduction zones. As oceanic plates sink beneath continental plates, stress builds up along fault lines until energy is released as earthquakes.
The belt has produced some of the strongest recorded earthquakes in the world, including:
1960 Valdivia earthquake (M 9.5), Chile
1964 Alaska earthquake (M 9.2)
The Ring of Fire stretches around 40,000 km, curving along the edges of the Pacific Ocean and passing through South America, North America, Asia, Indonesia, New Guinea and New Zealand.
Should residents be concerned about aftershocks?
A shallow 6.1-magnitude earthquake in the Pacific Ocean raises the possibility of aftershocks in the coming days.
Authorities are assessing whether the seismic movement occurred near known subduction faults that historically generate tsunami-causing earthquakes.
No tsunami warning has been issued yet.
