By Newsfeed/Bloomberg
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – A magnitude 8.0 earthquake struck northern Peru early Sunday, prompting officials to activate emergency protocols.
The quake hit at 2:41 AM local time, according to the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre. It was so strong it was felt through most of the country, and even sent vibrations as far as Ecuador, Colombia, and Brazil.
Some reported feeling heavy shaking as far as 600 miles away from the epicenter.
It occurred at a depth of 110 kilometers (68 miles), 75 kilometers south-southeast of the village of Lagunas, the U.S. Geological Survey said.
Authorities are evaluating affected areas, President Martin Vizcarra said in a Twitter post.
El fuerte movimiento telúrico ocurrido esta madrugada se sintió en varias regiones del país. Estamos evaluando las zonas afectadas. A todos nuestros ciudadanos les pido que mantengamos la calma. El @COENPeru viene monitoreando y evaluando la situación.
— Martín Vizcarra (@MartinVizcarraC) May 26, 2019
Metal mines close to the epicenter include Yanacocha, a gold mine owned by Newmont Goldcorp Corp. and Japan’s Sumitomo, as well as Barrick Gold Corp.’s Lagunas Norte, and copper mine Tantahuatay.
Media representatives of Newmont and Barrick didn’t immediately reply to emails outside of business hours seeking comment on the mines.