Recent earthquakes in Bolivia
Bolivia's seismicity ranges from shallow earthquakes along the Andes in the west to some of the deepest earthquakes on Earth beneath the interior, where the subducted Nazca slab sinks into the mantle. In 1994, a magnitude 8.2 earthquake struck at about 630 km depth — the largest deep-focus earthquake ever recorded. Shallow Andean earthquakes pose the greater hazard to populated areas. In the past 24 hours, Bolivia has recorded 1 earthquake, the largest an M3.2 (13 km SSE of La Tirana, Chile).
Counts include M2.5+ events — the smallest size USGS reports consistently worldwide.
Recent earthquakes
| Magnitude | Time (UTC) | Depth | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| M3.2 | Jul 28, 06:05 UTC | 72 km | 13 km SSE of La Tirana, Chile |
| M4.6 | Jul 27, 10:24 UTC | 105 km | 61 km E of La Tirana, 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 |
| M4.4 | 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 |
| M4.3 | Jul 24, 07:41 UTC | 146 km | 35 km ENE of Palca, Peru |
| M4.8 | Jul 23, 02:38 UTC | 96 km | 33 km NNW of El Cardo, Peru |
| 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 |
| M4.3 | Jul 22, 11:12 UTC | 113 km | 58 km NE of Calama, 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.
An M4.8 earthquake struck 33 km NNW of El Cardo, Peru at 02:38 UTC on Jul 23 at a depth of 96 km.
Frequently asked questions
Why does Bolivia have deep earthquakes?
Beneath Bolivia, the Nazca Plate has subducted far into the mantle, and earthquakes occur on this slab at depths of several hundred kilometres. These deep-focus events are felt over great distances but rarely damage the surface.
Does Bolivia get damaging earthquakes?
Bolivia's most hazardous earthquakes are shallow ones along the Andes in the west, near cities such as La Paz and Cochabamba. The 1998 Aiquile earthquake (M6.6), for example, caused deaths and damage in the central valleys.
What was the biggest earthquake in Bolivia?
The June 9, 1994 Bolivia earthquake, magnitude 8.2 at about 630 km depth, is the largest deep-focus earthquake ever recorded. It was felt as far away as North America but caused little damage because of its extreme depth.
Nearby regions
Live data from the USGS earthquake feeds. Magnitudes and depths are automated readings and may be revised. Not for emergency use.