M4.9 Earthquake 11 km WNW of Palca, Peru — May 15, 2026
2026-05-15 15:45:18 UTC (1 day ago) · approx. 10:45 AM UTC-5 local
On May 15, 2026 at 15:45 UTC, a magnitude 4.9 intermediate depth earthquake struck 11 km WNW of Palca, Peru, at a depth of 135.4 km and coordinates -17.7320°, -70.0593°. This earthquake was detected by 48 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
-70.0593°E
Technical Information
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Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 4.9 earthquake near Palca, Peru?
The magnitude 4.9 earthquake that struck 11 km WNW of Palca, Peru on May 15, 2026 at 15:45 UTC had a depth of 135.4 km. For context, this was a light earthquake commonly felt near the epicenter.
Where did the earthquake occur?
The earthquake epicenter was located at -17.7320°, -70.0593°, which is 11 km WNW of Palca, 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: us6000sxz1). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2026, May 15, 2026). M4.9 Earthquake 11 km WNW of Palca, Peru — May 15, 2026. Retrieved May 17, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us6000sxz1/