Tremor in Peru today, May 5 – latest seismic report via IGP live: exact time, place and magnitude | Geophysical Institute of Peru | MIX

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Why is Peru a seismic country?

According to Hernando Tavera, executive president of the Geophysical Institute of Peru (IGP), earthquakes in South America and Peru occur due to the frontal collision process of the Nasca and South American plates, which move at speeds of the order of 7 cm/year. As the Nasca plate is weaker, it is introduced beneath the continent, giving rise to a contact surface and developing friction and the consequent accumulation of stress and deformation that is released in the form of waves when an earthquake occurs.

This movement of the plates is continuous over time and, therefore, earthquakes will always occur, with greater continuity those of lesser magnitude, and those of greater magnitude, with long periods of time.