M4.2 Earthquake 21 km NE of Calama, Chile — May 26, 2026
2026-05-26 00:20:57 UTC (3 hours ago) · approx. 7:20 PM UTC-5 local
On May 26, 2026 at 00:20 UTC, a magnitude 4.2 intermediate depth earthquake struck 21 km NE of Calama, Chile, at a depth of 117.0 km and coordinates -22.3305°, -68.7694°.
Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 4.2 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 30 metric tons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 476 m — a useful intuition for the size of the slip patch on the fault.
This earthquake is part of an ongoing aftershock sequence following the magnitude 6.9 mainshock that occurred 6 hours ago 29 km ENE of Calama, Chile. Since the mainshock, the USGS has recorded 4 aftershocks in this area. Aftershock activity is expected to continue for weeks to months as stresses on surrounding faults redistribute.
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
-68.7694°E
Technical Information
Nearby Earthquakes (Last 7 Days)
Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 4.2 earthquake near Calama, Chile?
The magnitude 4.2 earthquake that struck 21 km NE of Calama, Chile on May 26, 2026 at 00:20 UTC had a depth of 117.0 km. For context, this was a light earthquake commonly felt near the epicenter.
Were there aftershocks?
Aftershock activity is monitored continuously by the USGS. Aftershock sequences from magnitude 4.2 earthquakes can continue for several days and gradually diminish over time.
Is this the same earthquake as the M6.9 one earlier?
No. This magnitude 4.2 earthquake is an aftershock of the larger magnitude 6.9 mainshock that occurred earlier 29 km ENE of Calama, Chile. Aftershocks are smaller earthquakes triggered by stress changes from the mainshock.
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.
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Understanding This Data
Magnitude 4.2 earthquakes are often felt but rarely cause damage.
Authoritative source: USGS event page (event ID: us6000t05h). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2026, May 26, 2026). M4.2 Earthquake 21 km NE of Calama, Chile — May 26, 2026. Retrieved May 26, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us6000t05h/