Recent earthquakes in Argentina
Argentina's earthquakes are concentrated along its western edge, where the Nazca Plate subducts beneath South America under the Andes, straining faults through the provinces of San Juan and Mendoza. The rest of the country is largely stable. The 1944 San Juan earthquake (M7.0) destroyed the city and remains Argentina's deadliest natural disaster. In the past 24 hours, Argentina has recorded no earthquakes above the reporting threshold.
Counts include M2.5+ events — the smallest size USGS reports consistently worldwide.
Recent earthquakes
| Magnitude | Time (UTC) | Depth | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| M5.0 | Sep 9, 10:06 UTC | 10 km | 53 km W of Cafayate, Argentina |
| M4.2 | Sep 8, 10:33 UTC | 100 km | 87 km SW of San Pedro de Atacama, Chile |
| M4.3 | Sep 8, 01:24 UTC | 168 km | 88 km W of San Antonio de los Cobres, Argentina |
| M4.3 | Sep 7, 22:25 UTC | 111 km | 14 km E of San Clemente, Chile |
| M4.5 | Sep 7, 21:54 UTC | 91 km | 129 km ENE of Taltal, Chile |
| M5.1 | Sep 5, 11:37 UTC | 10 km | 69 km E of Antofagasta de la Sierra, Argentina |
Notable recent activity
A moderate M5.1 earthquake struck 69 km E of Antofagasta de la Sierra, Argentina at 11:37 UTC on Sep 5 at a depth of 10 km.
A moderate M5.0 earthquake struck 53 km W of Cafayate, Argentina at 10:06 UTC on Sep 9 at a depth of 10 km.
An M4.5 earthquake struck 129 km ENE of Taltal, Chile at 21:54 UTC on Sep 7 at a depth of 91 km.
Frequently asked questions
Why does Argentina have earthquakes?
Along Argentina's western border the Nazca Plate subducts beneath South America, deforming the Andes and the foreland provinces of San Juan and Mendoza. Most of Argentina's seismicity is concentrated in this narrow western belt.
Which part of Argentina has the most earthquakes?
The Cuyo region — especially San Juan and Mendoza provinces — is the most seismically active, sitting closest to the Andean deformation front. Eastern and central Argentina experience very few earthquakes.
What was the biggest earthquake in Argentina?
The January 15, 1944 San Juan earthquake, magnitude 7.0, destroyed much of the city and killed about 10,000 people, Argentina's deadliest natural disaster. The 1861 Mendoza earthquake was similarly catastrophic for that city.
Nearby regions
Live data from the USGS earthquake feeds. Magnitudes and depths are automated readings and may be revised. Not for emergency use.