M5.3 Earthquake San Fernando, Peru

On September 2, 2023 at 11:11 UTC, a magnitude 5.3 intermediate depth earthquake struck 39 km ENE of San Fernando, Peru, at a depth of 150.8 km and coordinates -8.2098°, -74.2328°. This earthquake was detected by 160 seismic stations with excellent location accuracy and was assigned a USGS significance rating of 432, placing it among routine seismic activity.

Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 5.3 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 1 kilotons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 2.7 km — 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 5.6 mainshock that occurred 26 days ago 15 km ENE of San Fernando, Peru. Since the mainshock, the USGS has recorded 0 aftershocks in this area. Aftershock activity is expected to continue for days to weeks as stresses on surrounding faults redistribute.

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

Common Questions

How strong was the magnitude 5.3 earthquake near San Fernando, Peru?

The magnitude 5.3 earthquake that struck 39 km ENE of San Fernando, Peru on September 2, 2023 at 11:11 UTC had a depth of 150.8 km. For context, this was a moderate earthquake that could be widely felt.

Where did the earthquake occur?

The earthquake epicenter was located at -8.2098°, -74.2328°, which is 39 km ENE of San Fernando, Peru. View all earthquakes in Peru.

Were there aftershocks?

Aftershock activity is monitored continuously by the USGS. Aftershock sequences from magnitude 5.3 earthquakes can continue for days to weeks and gradually diminish over time.

Is this the same earthquake as the M5.6 one earlier?

No. This magnitude 5.3 earthquake is an aftershock of the larger magnitude 5.6 mainshock that occurred earlier 15 km ENE of San Fernando, Peru. Aftershocks are smaller earthquakes triggered by stress changes from the mainshock.

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 5.3 event is significantly smaller than that historical record.

M5.3 Earthquake 39 km ENE of San Fernando, Peru — September 2, 2023

Earthquake Details

Technical Information