Recent earthquakes near Santiago
Santiago sits in a valley between the Andes and Chile's coastal range, roughly 100 km inland from the Nazca-South American subduction zone that dominates the country's seismicity. Large offshore megathrust earthquakes shake the city strongly, and active faults in the surrounding mountains add local hazard. The 2010 M8.8 Maule earthquake to the south was felt intensely in Santiago. In the past 24 hours, Santiago has recorded 1 earthquake, the largest an M4.6 (20 km NNW of La Ligua, 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 |
| M4.2 | Oct 26, 00:55 UTC | 19 km | 50 km W of Valparaíso, Chile |
Notable recent activity
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.
An M4.2 earthquake struck 50 km W of Valparaíso, Chile at 00:55 UTC on Oct 26 at a depth of 19 km.
Frequently asked questions
Does Santiago get earthquakes?
Yes. Santiago feels frequent earthquakes, chiefly strong shaking from offshore megathrust events along the coast to the west, plus smaller quakes on faults within the Andes. Chile's strict building codes reflect this constant exposure.
Is Santiago at risk from a major earthquake?
Santiago sits close to one of the world's most productive subduction zones and has been shaken by many large events, including the 1985 Algarrobo (M8.0) and 2010 Maule (M8.8) earthquakes. Great offshore ruptures remain its principal hazard.
What was the biggest earthquake near Santiago?
The February 27, 2010 magnitude 8.8 Maule earthquake, centred offshore south of the city, is the largest to strike near Santiago in modern times. It caused strong, prolonged shaking and a damaging tsunami along the coast.
Nearby regions
Live data from the USGS earthquake feeds. Magnitudes and depths are automated readings and may be revised. Not for emergency use.