M5.0 Earthquake 96 km SSW of Paracas, Peru — April 16, 2026
2026-04-16 08:09:02 UTC (2026-04-16) · approx. 3:09 AM UTC-5 local
Felt by 1 person across nearby locations.
On April 16, 2026 at 08:09 UTC, a magnitude 5.0 shallow crustal earthquake struck 96 km SSW of Paracas, Peru, at a depth of 10.0 km and coordinates -14.6226°, -76.7198°. This earthquake was detected by 70 seismic stations with good 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
Did You Feel It? — community-reported shaking
Aggregated felt-report intensity from 1 citizen response to the USGS Did You Feel It? system. Each colored zone represents the average MMI from reports in that area.
Source: U.S. Geological Survey Did You Feel It?. View on USGS · submit your own report
Earthquake Details
-76.7198°E
Technical Information
Nearby Earthquakes (Last 7 Days)
Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 5.0 earthquake near Paracas, Peru?
The magnitude 5.0 earthquake that struck 96 km SSW of Paracas, Peru on April 16, 2026 at 08:09 UTC had a depth of 10.0 km. For context, this was a moderate earthquake that could be widely felt.
Where did the earthquake occur?
The earthquake epicenter was located at -14.6226°, -76.7198°, which is 96 km SSW of Paracas, 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: us6000sqib). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2026, April 16, 2026). M5.0 Earthquake 96 km SSW of Paracas, Peru — April 16, 2026. Retrieved July 3, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us6000sqib/