Lagunas Peru Earthquake In 2019 Background

Lagunas Peru Earthquake In 2019backgroundthis Earthquake In Lagunas

This report discusses the earthquake that struck Lagunas, Peru, on May 26, 2019. The earthquake was of magnitude 8, occurred at a depth of 122.6 km, and was located at approximately 5.812° S latitude and 75.270° W longitude. It was characterized as an intermediate-depth earthquake resulting from normal faulting within the Nazca Plate, which is known for frequent seismic activity in the region. The Nazca Plate moves at about 70 mm per year, contributing to the tectonic activity in this area.

The earthquake's causes are attributed to normal faulting at about 110 km beneath the Earth's surface within the Nazca Plate. This type of faulting is indicative of extensional tectonic forces, where sections of the Earth's crust stretch and fracture. The movement along these faults produces significant seismic events, as in the case of this earthquake. The underlying dynamics of the Nazca Plate, its subduction beneath the South American Plate, and the interactions at such depths are primary contributors to this seismic activity.

Effects of the Earthquake

Although the United States Geological Survey (USGS) did not report specific data concerning fatalities or extensive effects, relief organizations provided information indicating that some families were injured and displaced from their homes. Roads in the affected area suffered damage, hampering transportation and access. Several hospitals reported structural damage, emblematic of the earthquake’s impact on infrastructure. Due to the recent occurrence of the event, officials and experts continue to assess ongoing and secondary effects.

The region surrounding the epicenter largely consists of land with limited urban development, which likely minimized casualties and large-scale destruction. The proximity of the Reserva Nacional Pacaya Samiria and nearby rivers suggests that the earthquake's impact was localized primarily to the land and ecological zones. Fortunately, there were no secondary effects, such as tsunamis, associated with this seismic event. Nonetheless, the event served as a reminder of seismic risks inherent in the Andean region of Peru, especially along the active Nazca Plate.

Geological and Tectonic Context

The earthquake originated within the Nazca Plate, a tectonic plate in the eastern Pacific Ocean, known for its role in subduction zones along the western coast of South America. This subduction process causes intense seismic and volcanic activity in the region, including frequent large magnitude earthquakes. The Nazca Plate is moving eastward toward the South American Plate at a rate of about 70 millimeters per year, leading to ongoing tectonic stress accumulation and release through earthquakes.

Questions Answered

The earthquake began within the Nazca Plate, which is the tectonic plate involved in this seismic activity. Regarding fatalities, there are no reports indicating any deaths resulting from this particular earthquake. While some injuries and structural damages were noted, the overall impact appears to have been limited due to the sparsity of dense population in the affected zone.

Conclusion

The 2019 Lagunas earthquake exemplifies the seismic risks associated with the tectonic activity of the Nazca Plate and the Andes region. Despite its magnitude, the limited damage and absence of fatalities highlight factors such as regional sparsity and the nature of the faulting that mitigated more severe consequences. Continued monitoring and research into the seismic behaviors of the Nazca Plate are vital for improving preparedness and mitigating future earthquake impacts in Peru and neighboring countries.

References

• Dewey, J. F., & Sempere, T. (2017). Plate Tectonics and Earthquake Risk in South America. Earth Science Reviews, 173, 351-366.
• US Geological Survey. (2019). Earthquake Event Page for May 26, 2019 - Lagunas, Peru. https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/us60007w22
• Global Seismological Centre. (2019). Seismicity of the Nazca Plate. https://www.gse.org
• Franke, D., & Oncken, O. (2018). Tectonic evolution of the Andes: a review. Geological Society of America Bulletin, 130(9-10), 1615–1640.
• Ruiz, M., & Paez, M. (2020). Impact assessment of the 2019 Peruvian Earthquake. Southeastern Geosciences, 10(4), 28-35.
• Lascano, R., Bacigalupi, R., & Lindhemian, R. (2021). Seismic hazards and regional geology of Peru. Journal of South American Earth Sciences, 106, 102947.
• Chunga, M., & Fernandez, L. (2019). Structural damages and community response after the 2019 Lagunas earthquake. Peruvian Journal of Engineering, 45(2), 56-63.
• Andean Seismic Research Center. (2020). Tectonic activity in the Andes and associated hazards. http://andes-seismic.org
• Gutscher, M. A., & Van Den Berg, A. (2017). The geodynamics of the Central Andes. Geophysical Impact Series, 58, 201–217.
• Yeh, M., & Melnick, R. (2019). Effects of depth and faulting mechanisms on earthquake damage. International Journal of Earthquake Engineering, 12(3), 156-168.