6.5-Magnitude Earthquake Strikes San Juan Province in Argentina, EMSC Says

There has been no information so far concerning possible casualties or material damage resulting from the quake.

A powerful 6.5-magnitude earthquake has struck west-central San Juan Province in Argentina, the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) said on Monday.

According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), the quake hit at 02:46 GMT on Tuesday, about 17 miles (27 kilometres) southwest of Pocito in San Juan Province.

Strong #earthquake (#sismo) shakes San Juan, Argentina 8 min ago. Map of eyewitnesses' felt reports: pic.twitter.com/aD2He98xRq

— EMSC (@LastQuake) January 19, 2021

According to Argentinian media reports, the earthquake was felt in much of the country, including in several neighbourhoods of Buenos Aires. Witnesses who felt the tremor took to social media to share their experience. 

We just had an earthquake. It was in San Juan province. 6.8.
My walls were shaking, my pictures on the wall trembling and the doors slamming. It was scary. But I'm fine.

— Let (@BlackLanternHC) January 19, 2021

🇦🇷#ARGENTINA 🚨#ÚLTIMAHORA | Primeras imágenes de como se percibió el fuerte #sismo en San Juan.

El movimiento telúrico fue sentido en varias partes del país. #earthquake #Terremoto #Temblor pic.twitter.com/nkC3vwxhXh

— Rochex R. Robinson Bonilla (@RochexRB27) January 19, 2021

In accordance with the Richter scale, earthquakes at 6.0 and above can cause moderate to strong damage, especially to poor structures.