M4.0 Earthquake 154 km WNW of Vallenar, Chile — May 12, 2024
2024-05-12 21:33:54 UTC (2024-05-12) · approx. 4:33 PM UTC-5 local
On May 12, 2024 at 21:33 UTC, a magnitude 4.0 shallow crustal earthquake struck 154 km WNW of Vallenar, Chile, at a depth of 7.1 km and coordinates -27.8110°, -72.0777°.
Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 4.0 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 15 metric tons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 347 m — a useful intuition for the size of the slip patch on the fault.
Earthquake Details
-72.0777°E
Technical Information
Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 4.0 earthquake near Vallenar, Chile?
The magnitude 4.0 earthquake that struck 154 km WNW of Vallenar, Chile on May 12, 2024 at 21:33 UTC had a depth of 7.1 km. For context, this was a light earthquake commonly felt near the epicenter.
Were there aftershocks?
Aftershock activity is monitored continuously by the USGS. Aftershock sequences from magnitude 4.0 earthquakes can continue for several days and gradually diminish over time.
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Understanding This Data
Magnitude 4.0 earthquakes are often felt but rarely cause damage.
Authoritative source: USGS event page (event ID: us6000my65). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2024, May 12, 2024). M4.0 Earthquake 154 km WNW of Vallenar, Chile — May 12, 2024. Retrieved July 20, 2024 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us6000my65/