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 1 earthquake, the largest an M4.8 (26 km WSW of Santa Cruz, Chile).
Counts include M2.5+ events — the smallest size USGS reports consistently worldwide.
Recent earthquakes
| Magnitude | Time (UTC) | Depth | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| M4.8 | Jul 28, 05:38 UTC | 53 km | 26 km WSW of Santa Cruz, Chile |
| M4.6 | Jul 28, 01:37 UTC | 36 km | 38 km S of Mendoza, Argentina |
| M4.1 | Jul 27, 17:19 UTC | 59 km | 8 km NNE of Quilpué, Chile |
| M5.4 | Jul 27, 08:57 UTC | 107 km | 82 km SSW of San Pedro de Atacama, Chile |
| M4.3 | Jul 26, 21:44 UTC | 184 km | 109 km W of San Antonio de los Cobres, Argentina |
| M4.5 | Jul 26, 17:29 UTC | 157 km | 53 km N of Arauco, Argentina |
| M4.4 | Jul 26, 13:36 UTC | 193 km | 47 km WNW of San Antonio de los Cobres, Argentina |
| M5.3 | Jul 24, 19:38 UTC | 194 km | 39 km NW of San Antonio de los Cobres, Argentina |
| M4.8 | Jul 24, 15:34 UTC | 10 km | 50 km NNW of Fiambalá, Argentina |
| M4.6 | Jul 23, 12:47 UTC | 10 km | 158 km W of Ovalle, Chile |
| M4.2 | Jul 23, 07:48 UTC | 40 km | 45 km WSW of La Ligua, Chile |
| M4.7 | Jul 23, 01:56 UTC | 96 km | 72 km S of Calama, Chile |
| M4.8 | Jul 22, 17:34 UTC | 112 km | 53 km SSW of San Pedro de Atacama, Chile |
| M4.6 | Jul 22, 11:37 UTC | 126 km | 103 km S of San Pedro de Atacama, Chile |
| M5.1 | Jul 22, 09:34 UTC | 10 km | 121 km NW of Vallenar, Chile |
Notable recent activity
A moderate M5.4 earthquake struck 82 km SSW of San Pedro de Atacama, Chile at 08:57 UTC on Jul 27 at a depth of 107 km.
A moderate M5.3 earthquake struck 39 km NW of San Antonio de los Cobres, Argentina at 19:38 UTC on Jul 24 at a depth of 194 km.
A moderate M5.1 earthquake struck 121 km NW of Vallenar, Chile at 09:34 UTC on Jul 22 at a depth of 10 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.