A magnitude 5.7 earthquake struck Argentina’s Santiago Del Estero Province on Thursday, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported.

According to USGS data, the quake occurred at 21:37 (UTC) with its epicentre located about 29 kilometres west of El Hoyo, a town in northern Argentina. The tremor originated at a depth of around 571 kilometres (354 miles).

The coordinates of the quake were recorded at 27.064S and 63.523W. Such earthquakes are less likely to cause widespread destruction on the surface compared to shallow ones but can still be felt across a wide area.

According to reports, the quake was linked to tectonic activity involving the Nazca Plate, which is slowly being forced beneath the South American Plate along a major subduction zone. This region is known for producing deep and powerful seismic events. The stress generated by the descending plate often triggers quakes hundreds of kilometres beneath the Earth’s surface.

There were no immediate reports of casualties, injuries, or property damage.

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