M4.8 Earthquake near West Chile Rise — January 16, 2026
2026-01-16 21:38:23 UTC (2026-01-16) · approx. 4:38 PM UTC-5 local
On January 16, 2026 at 21:38 UTC, a magnitude 4.8 shallow crustal earthquake struck near West Chile Rise, at a depth of 10.0 km and coordinates -44.3643°, -81.9499°. This earthquake was detected by 21 seismic stations with good location accuracy and was assigned a USGS significance rating of 354, placing it among routine seismic activity.
Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 4.8 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 239 metric tons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 1.2 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
-81.9499°E
Technical Information
Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 4.8 earthquake near West Chile Rise?
The magnitude 4.8 earthquake that struck near West Chile Rise on January 16, 2026 at 21:38 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 -44.3643°, -81.9499°, which is near West Chile Rise. View all earthquakes in Chile.
Were there aftershocks?
Aftershock activity is monitored continuously by the USGS. Aftershock sequences from magnitude 4.8 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 4.8 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: us6000s67f). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2026, January 16, 2026). M4.8 Earthquake near West Chile Rise — January 16, 2026. Retrieved May 12, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us6000s67f/