Recent earthquakes in Chile
Chile lies along the boundary where the Nazca Plate subducts beneath the South American Plate at roughly 7 cm per year, one of the fastest and most productive subduction zones on Earth. This Peru-Chile (Atacama) Trench has generated more great earthquakes than any other region. The 1960 Valdivia earthquake here, magnitude 9.5, is the largest ever instrumentally recorded. In the past 24 hours, Chile has recorded 2 earthquakes, the largest an M4.9 (100 km E of La Tirana, Chile).
Counts include M2.5+ events — the smallest size USGS reports consistently worldwide.
Recent earthquakes
| Magnitude | Time (UTC) | Depth | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| M4.6 | Oct 26, 20:52 UTC | 48 km | 20 km NNW of La Ligua, Chile |
| M4.9 | Oct 26, 19:36 UTC | 120 km | 100 km E of La Tirana, Chile |
| M4.2 | Oct 26, 00:55 UTC | 19 km | 50 km W of Valparaíso, Chile |
| M4.7 | Oct 25, 17:11 UTC | 62 km | 19 km NE of Atico, Peru |
| M4.3 | Oct 25, 13:23 UTC | 136 km | 40 km ESE of San Pedro de Atacama, Chile |
| M4.6 | Oct 25, 07:11 UTC | 26 km | 50 km SW of Atiquipa, Peru |
| M4.2 | Oct 24, 17:14 UTC | 124 km | 74 km W of Ollagüe, Chile |
| M4.2 | Oct 23, 03:59 UTC | 50 km | 46 km NNW of La Serena, Chile |
| M4.5 | Oct 23, 02:45 UTC | 236 km | 58 km SW of Atocha, Bolivia |
| M4.5 | Oct 23, 00:09 UTC | 186 km | 102 km W of San Antonio de los Cobres, Argentina |
| M4.6 | Oct 22, 21:37 UTC | 142 km | 49 km S of Ollagüe, Chile |
| M4.4 | Oct 22, 01:08 UTC | 103 km | 30 km NW of Albardón, Argentina |
| M2.8 | Oct 21, 21:15 UTC | 51 km | 20 km SE of Alto Hospicio, Chile |
Notable recent activity
An M4.9 earthquake struck 100 km E of La Tirana, Chile at 19:36 UTC on Oct 26 at a depth of 120 km.
An M4.7 earthquake struck 19 km NE of Atico, Peru at 17:11 UTC on Oct 25 at a depth of 62 km.
An M4.6 earthquake struck 20 km NNW of La Ligua, Chile at 20:52 UTC on Oct 26 at a depth of 48 km.
Frequently asked questions
How many earthquakes does Chile get?
Chile experiences hundreds of felt earthquakes each year and a magnitude 8 or larger event roughly once a decade on average. Nearly all stem from the Nazca Plate grinding beneath South America off the coast.
Why does Chile have such large earthquakes?
The Nazca Plate subducts rapidly beneath Chile along a long, relatively straight offshore boundary. This geometry lets strain build over broad areas and release in very large megathrust ruptures.
What was the biggest earthquake in Chile?
The May 22, 1960 Valdivia earthquake, magnitude 9.5, is the largest earthquake ever recorded on instruments anywhere in the world. It ruptured roughly 1,000 km of the plate boundary and sent a tsunami across the Pacific.
Nearby regions
Live data from the USGS earthquake feeds. Magnitudes and depths are automated readings and may be revised. Not for emergency use.