M5.0 Earthquake 31 km NE of Barranca, Peru — February 22, 2026
2026-02-22 06:43:52 UTC (2026-02-22) · approx. 1:43 AM UTC-5 local
On February 22, 2026 at 06:43 UTC, a magnitude 5.0 intermediate depth earthquake struck 31 km NE of Barranca, Peru, at a depth of 115.1 km and coordinates -4.6719°, -76.4374°. This earthquake was detected by 92 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 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
-76.4374°E
Technical Information
Nearby Earthquakes (Last 7 Days)
Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 5.0 earthquake near Barranca, Peru?
The magnitude 5.0 earthquake that struck 31 km NE of Barranca, Peru on February 22, 2026 at 06:43 UTC had a depth of 115.1 km. For context, this was a moderate earthquake that could be widely felt.
Where did the earthquake occur?
The earthquake epicenter was located at -4.6719°, -76.4374°, which is 31 km NE of Barranca, Peru. View all earthquakes in Peru.
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 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 5.0 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: us6000sara). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2026, February 22, 2026). M5.0 Earthquake 31 km NE of Barranca, Peru — February 22, 2026. Retrieved May 15, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us6000sara/