4.6

M4.6 Earthquake 46 km W of Ollagüe, ChileSeptember 28, 2025

2025-09-28 05:25:43 UTC (2025-09-28) · approx. 12:25 AM UTC-5 local

MagnitudeM4.6(mb)
Time05:25 UTC12:25 AM UTC-5
Depth118.0 kmintermediate depth
Coordinates-21.144°, -68.691°
Felt byNo felt reports
Status✓ Reviewed by USGS

On September 28, 2025 at 05:25 UTC, a magnitude 4.6 intermediate depth earthquake struck 46 km W of Ollagüe, Chile, at a depth of 118.0 km and coordinates -21.1444°, -68.6911°. This earthquake was detected by 37 seismic stations with excellent location accuracy and was assigned a USGS significance rating of 326, placing it among routine seismic activity.

Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 4.6 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 120 metric tons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 899 m — 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

Map showing earthquake epicenter at -21.14°, -68.69°

Earthquake Details

Magnitude
4.6 mb
Depth
118.0 km
intermediate depth
Location
-21.1444°N
-68.6911°E

Technical Information

Event ID
us6000rde6
Event Type
earthquake
Status
✓ Reviewed
Significance
326
Stations Used
37
Azimuthal Gap
71.0°
Min Station Distance
0.750°
RMS Residual
1.02 sec
Last Updated
2025-12-11 21:40:38 UTC

Common Questions

How strong was the magnitude 4.6 earthquake near Ollagüe, Chile?

The magnitude 4.6 earthquake that struck 46 km W of Ollagüe, Chile on September 28, 2025 at 05:25 UTC had a depth of 118.0 km. For context, this was a light earthquake commonly felt near the epicenter.

Where did the earthquake occur?

The earthquake epicenter was located at -21.1444°, -68.6911°, which is 46 km W of Ollagüe, Chile. View all earthquakes in Chile.

Were there aftershocks?

Aftershock activity is monitored continuously by the USGS. Aftershock sequences from magnitude 4.6 earthquakes can continue for several days 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 4.6 event is significantly smaller than that historical record.

What should I do after an earthquake?

If you were in the affected area: check yourself and others for injuries, inspect your home for damage, and be prepared for aftershocks. For detailed guidance, see our earthquake safety guide and emergency planning resources.

Authoritative source: USGS event page (event ID: us6000rde6). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.

Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2025, September 28, 2025). M4.6 Earthquake 46 km W of Ollagüe, ChileSeptember 28, 2025. Retrieved May 28, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us6000rde6/