M4.7 Earthquake 56 km W of La Ligua, Chile — May 17, 2024
2024-05-17 05:39:58 UTC (2024-05-17) · approx. 12:39 AM UTC-5 local
Aftershock of the M5.1 mainshock.
On May 17, 2024 at 05:39 UTC, a magnitude 4.7 shallow crustal earthquake struck 56 km W of La Ligua, Chile, at a depth of 10.0 km and coordinates -32.5319°, -71.8236°. This earthquake was detected by 53 seismic stations with good location accuracy and was assigned a USGS significance rating of 340, placing it among routine seismic activity.
Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 4.7 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 169 metric tons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 1.1 km — a useful intuition for the size of the slip patch on the fault.
This earthquake is part of an ongoing aftershock sequence following the magnitude 5.1 mainshock that occurred 29 days ago 52 km NNW of Valparaíso, Chile. Since the mainshock, the USGS has recorded 3 aftershocks in this area. Aftershock activity is expected to continue for days to weeks as stresses on surrounding faults redistribute.
The epicenter is located in Chile, a region characterized by the Peru-Chile Trench, where the Nazca Plate subducts beneath South America at 65-80 mm per year. The nearest mapped fault system is the Peru-Chile Trench. View all earthquakes in Chile.
Learn more: Magnitude scale · Aftershock sequences
Earthquake Details
-71.8236°E
Technical Information
Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 4.7 earthquake near La Ligua, Chile?
The magnitude 4.7 earthquake that struck 56 km W of La Ligua, Chile on May 17, 2024 at 05:39 UTC had a depth of 10.0 km. For context, this was a light earthquake commonly felt near the epicenter.
Where did the earthquake occur?
The earthquake epicenter was located at -32.5319°, -71.8236°, which is 56 km W of La Ligua, Chile. View all earthquakes in Chile.
Were there aftershocks?
Aftershock activity is monitored continuously by the USGS. Aftershock sequences from magnitude 4.7 earthquakes can continue for several days and gradually diminish over time.
Is this the same earthquake as the M5.1 one earlier?
No. This magnitude 4.7 earthquake is an aftershock of the larger magnitude 5.1 mainshock that occurred earlier 52 km NNW of Valparaíso, Chile. Aftershocks are smaller earthquakes triggered by stress changes from the mainshock.
Has Chile had earthquakes this big before?
The largest recorded earthquake in Chile was the M9.5 Great Chilean earthquake of May 22, 1960. Today's magnitude 4.7 event is significantly smaller than that historical record.
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Location
Authoritative source: USGS event page (event ID: us6000mz4h). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2024, May 17, 2024). M4.7 Earthquake 56 km W of La Ligua, Chile — May 17, 2024. Retrieved July 26, 2024 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us6000mz4h/