Skip to content
Link copied to clipboard

Magnitude-8 earthquake strikes north-central Peru

The U.S. Geological Survey says a large earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 8.0 has struck in north-central Peru.

In this March 31, 2019 photo, police officers rise early in the morning at the Balata police and military base in Peru's Tambopata province. The base occupied by "Operation Mercury" security forces is surrounded by two lakes contaminated with mercury, as well as debris left over by miners. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)
In this March 31, 2019 photo, police officers rise early in the morning at the Balata police and military base in Peru's Tambopata province. The base occupied by "Operation Mercury" security forces is surrounded by two lakes contaminated with mercury, as well as debris left over by miners. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)Read moreRodrigo Abd / AP
    by Associated Press, The Associated Press
    Published 

LIMA, Peru (AP) — A large earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 8.0 struck north-central Peru early Sunday, the U.S. Geological survey reported.

The quake, at a moderate depth of 114 kilometers (71 miles) struck at 2:41 a.m., 80 kilometers (50 miles) southeast of the village of Lagunas and 158 kilometers (98 miles) east-northeast of the larger town of Yurimaguas.

There were no immediate reports of casualties or of major damage. Earthquakes that are close to the surface generally cause more destruction.

The Peruvian government's emergency department tweeted that it registered a magnitude of 7.2 for the quake. In the capital, Lima, people ran out of their homes in fear. Power cuts were reported in a number of Amazonian cities.

Earthquakes are frequent in Peru, which lies on the Pacific’s so-called Ring of Fire.