Monday earthquake epicenter is only five miles from Cuenca but most residents don’t feel it

A 4.2 magnitude earthquake was recorded Monday afternoon just east of Cuenca but no damage was reported. The quake occurred at 5:30 p.m. at a depth of 32 kilometers.

Earthquake location

According to the municipal risk management office, some residents in high-rise condominiums and office buildings reported feeling the tremor although only a dozen calls were received. According to officials, the quake was felt more strongly to the east of the city, particularly in Paute.

Ecuador’s Geophysical Institute reports that although strong earthquakes are rare in the Cuenca area, all of Ecuador is in an seismically active zone. “Because the geology is older and more stable, the southern Ecuadorian Andes, including Cuenca, are at lower risk of catastrophic earthquakes,” the institute said in a 2014 report. “However, all residents of Ecuador should be prepared for earthquakes given the proximity to major faults, particularly on the coast.”