14:33 | Lima, Dec. 31 (ANDINA).
Peru has been shocked by a total of 225 sensitive earthquakes, during 2012, Geophysical Institute of Peru (IGP) reported Monday.
Hernando Tavera, head of IGP's Seismology said in statements to Andina news agency that the highest percentage of earthquakes, probably 70 percent, was centered off the coast of Peru.
He noted that mostly the cities of Arequipa, Ica and Lima, in Peru’s central region and southern Peruvian coast, were the most affected by the several earthquakes.
Tavera added that recent earthquakes occurring off the coast, from Tumbes to Tacna, which is the area of highest risk to be affected by a major earthquake and where the subsurface tectonic plates are constantly moving.
"It happens that offshore is exactly where the Nazca plate colliding head-on with the South American plate, and there is the problem," he told Andina news agency.
The IGP only reports the tremors sensitive to the population, but the not sensitive are usually two to three daily.
(END) TMC/VVS/LOG
Published: 12/31/2012