M4.9 Earthquake 39 km SSE of San Juan, Peru — January 31, 2026
2026-01-31 01:09:20 UTC (2026-01-31) · approx. 8:09 PM UTC-5 local
On January 31, 2026 at 01:09 UTC, a magnitude 4.9 shallow crustal earthquake struck 39 km SSE of San Juan, Peru, at a depth of 30.3 km and coordinates -15.7068°, -75.0679°. This earthquake was detected by 27 seismic stations with good location accuracy and was assigned a USGS significance rating of 369, placing it among routine seismic activity.
Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 4.9 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 338 metric tons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 1.4 km — a useful intuition for the size of the slip patch on the fault.
The epicenter is located in Peru, a region characterized by the northern Peru-Chile subduction zone, complicated by the subduction of the Nazca Ridge. The nearest mapped fault system is the Peru-Chile Trench. View all earthquakes in Peru.
Learn more: Magnitude scale · Aftershock sequences
Earthquake Details
-75.0679°E
Technical Information
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Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 4.9 earthquake near San Juan, Peru?
The magnitude 4.9 earthquake that struck 39 km SSE of San Juan, Peru on January 31, 2026 at 01:09 UTC had a depth of 30.3 km. For context, this was a light earthquake commonly felt near the epicenter.
Where did the earthquake occur?
The earthquake epicenter was located at -15.7068°, -75.0679°, which is 39 km SSE of San Juan, Peru. View all earthquakes in Peru.
Were there aftershocks?
Aftershock activity is monitored continuously by the USGS. Aftershock sequences from magnitude 4.9 earthquakes can continue for several days and gradually diminish over time.
Has Peru had earthquakes this big before?
The largest recorded earthquake in Peru was the M8.0 Arequipa earthquake of June 23, 2001. Today's magnitude 4.9 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: us6000s5nw). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2026, January 31, 2026). M4.9 Earthquake 39 km SSE of San Juan, Peru — January 31, 2026. Retrieved May 14, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us6000s5nw/