Earthquakes of magnitude 4.9 and 3.6 shake Peru's southern Arequipa region

Two earthquakes, measuring 4.9 and 3.6 on the Richter scale, shook Peru's southern Arequipa region on Saturday. The seismic activity occurred less than 30 minutes apart, with no immediate reports of material or human damage.

The first tremor, a magnitude 4.9, registered at 3:24 p.m. local time (20:24 GMT). Its epicenter was located 36 kilometers west of the Ocoña district in the Camaná province, situated in the sea at a depth of 35 kilometers. Residents perceived it as mild.

Twenty-six minutes later, at 3:50 p.m. local time (20:50 GMT), a second earthquake of magnitude 3.6 occurred. This tremor's epicenter was 49 kilometers southwest of the same Ocoña district, also in the sea, at a depth of 40 kilometers.

Peru lies within the Pacific Ring of Fire, an area known for experiencing 85% of the world's seismic activity. The country's last major earthquake was a devastating magnitude 7.9 event off Pisco in August 2007, which caused over 500 fatalities and extensive infrastructure damage.