M6.9 Earthquake 29 km ENE of Calama, Chile — May 25, 2026
2026-05-25 21:52:20 UTC (2 hours ago) · approx. 4:52 PM UTC-5 local
Felt by 50 people across nearby locations.
On May 25, 2026 at 21:52 UTC, a magnitude 6.9 intermediate depth earthquake struck 29 km ENE of Calama, Chile, at a depth of 109.0 km and coordinates -22.3883°, -68.6422°. This earthquake was detected by 304 seismic stations with excellent location accuracy and was assigned a USGS significance rating of 757, making it a moderate-impact event.
Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 6.9 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 338 kilotons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 35 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
Did You Feel It? — community-reported shaking
Aggregated felt-report intensity from 50 citizen responses 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
-68.6422°E
Technical Information
Nearby Earthquakes (Last 7 Days)
Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 6.9 earthquake near Calama, Chile?
The magnitude 6.9 earthquake that struck 29 km ENE of Calama, Chile on May 25, 2026 at 21:52 UTC had a depth of 109.0 km. For context, this was a strong earthquake capable of causing significant damage.
Where did the earthquake occur?
The earthquake epicenter was located at -22.3883°, -68.6422°, which is 29 km ENE of Calama, Chile. View all earthquakes in Chile.
Were there aftershocks?
Aftershock activity is monitored continuously by the USGS. Aftershock sequences from magnitude 6.9 earthquakes can continue for weeks to months 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 6.9 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: us6000t04s). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2026, May 25, 2026). M6.9 Earthquake 29 km ENE of Calama, Chile — May 25, 2026. Retrieved May 25, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us6000t04s/