Earthquakes in Central and South America

Abstract

THE United States Coast and Geodetic Survey, in co-operation with Science Service and the Jesuit Seismological Association, has found the epicenters of three recent earthquakes in Central and South America. The first, on June 30, occurred at 20h. 13-Cm. TJ.T. from an epicentre near lat. 14.5° S., long. 74° W., which is just north of the town of Coracora in Peru. The focus may have been deeper than normal. The second, on July 4, occurred at 9h. 52.Im. TJ.T. from an epicenter near lat. 9° N., long. 84.5° W., which is near the coast south-east of the town of San Jose, and due south of the volcano Irazu in Costa Rica. The depth of focus in this instance was possibly 100 km. The third earthquake was on July 5 at 21h. 7.6m. U.T. from an epicenter lat. 17-5° S., long. 73° W., which is immediately off the coast west of the town of Mollendo in Peru. The depth of focus was normal. All these epicenters are in well-known seismic areas and all interpretations and determinations are tentative. Calculations were based on instrumental reports from the seismological observatories at Georgetown, Weston, St. Louis, Pasadena, Philadelphia, Fordham, Tucson, San Juan, Washington D.C., Burlington, Mobile, Buffalo, and Salt Lake City.