M5.0 Earthquake 72 km NE of Calama, Chile — May 21, 2024
2024-05-21 08:21:10 UTC (2024-05-21) · approx. 3:21 AM UTC-5 local
On May 21, 2024 at 08:21 UTC, a magnitude 5.0 intermediate depth earthquake struck 72 km NE of Calama, Chile, at a depth of 106.4 km and coordinates -21.9443°, -68.4790°. This earthquake was detected by 113 seismic stations with excellent location accuracy and was assigned a USGS significance rating of 385, placing it among routine seismic activity.
Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 5.0 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 477 metric tons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 1.7 km — a useful intuition for the size of the slip patch on the fault.
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
-68.4790°E
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Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 5.0 earthquake near Calama, Chile?
The magnitude 5.0 earthquake that struck 72 km NE of Calama, Chile on May 21, 2024 at 08:21 UTC had a depth of 106.4 km. For context, this was a moderate earthquake that could be widely felt.
Where did the earthquake occur?
The earthquake epicenter was located at -21.9443°, -68.4790°, which is 72 km NE of Calama, Chile. View all earthquakes in Chile.
Were there aftershocks?
Aftershock activity is monitored continuously by the USGS. Aftershock sequences from magnitude 5.0 earthquakes can continue for days to weeks and gradually diminish over time.
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 5.0 event is significantly smaller than that historical record.
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Location
Authoritative source: USGS event page (event ID: us6000n003). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2024, May 21, 2024). M5.0 Earthquake 72 km NE of Calama, Chile — May 21, 2024. Retrieved August 6, 2024 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us6000n003/