**Magnitude 4.0 Earthquake Shakes Arequipa Region**
Arequipa, Peru – A magnitude 4.0 earthquake struck the Arequipa region early this morning, according to the Instituto Geofísico del Perú (IGP). The tremor was recorded at 03:46 a.m. local time, with its epicenter located 51 kilometres east of the town of Tuti in the province of Caylloma, at a depth of 159 kilometres.
Local authorities have reported no material damage or injuries resulting from the event.
The IGP noted that this was the fourth seismic event felt in Peru on the same day. Earlier tremors were recorded in Pasco (magnitude 3.4), Áncash (magnitude 3.5) and Piura (magnitude 4.1).
In an interview with RPP, seismologist César Jiménez Tintaya, a professor at the Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos (UNMSM), highlighted the long‑term seismic risk facing central Peru. Jiménez Tintaya explained that the region has been accumulating tectonic stress since the last megathrust earthquake in 1746. He cited historic quakes—Huacho in 1940, Barranca in 1966, Chilca‑Lima in 1974 and Pisco‑Ica in 2007—each with magnitudes between 8.0 and 8.1, which together have released roughly 20 percent of the accumulated seismic energy.
“Given that only about one‑fifth of the stored energy has been released, a future earthquake could reach a magnitude of 8.5 to 8.8 in central Peru,” Jiménez Tintaya said. He added that a potential future event might have its epicenter offshore at a shallow depth and could be accompanied by a tsunami.
No immediate threat from aftershocks or secondary effects has been reported following the magnitude 4.0 quake. Authorities continue to monitor seismic activity across the country.
Article and image source: rpp.pe
