M4.8 Earthquake 43 km NE of Calama, Chile — February 25, 2024
2024-02-25 16:50:20 UTC (2024-02-25) · approx. 11:50 AM UTC-5 local
On February 25, 2024 at 16:50 UTC, a magnitude 4.8 intermediate depth earthquake struck 43 km NE of Calama, Chile, at a depth of 110.1 km and coordinates -22.1972°, -68.6058°. This earthquake was detected by 61 seismic stations with excellent location accuracy and was assigned a USGS significance rating of 354, placing it among routine seismic activity.
Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 4.8 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 239 metric tons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 1.2 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
Earthquake Details
-68.6058°E
Technical Information
Nearby Earthquakes (Last 7 Days)
Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 4.8 earthquake near Calama, Chile?
The magnitude 4.8 earthquake that struck 43 km NE of Calama, Chile on February 25, 2024 at 16:50 UTC had a depth of 110.1 km. For context, this was a light earthquake commonly felt near the epicenter.
Where did the earthquake occur?
The earthquake epicenter was located at -22.1972°, -68.6058°, which is 43 km NE of Calama, Chile. View all earthquakes in Chile.
Were there aftershocks?
Aftershock activity is monitored continuously by the USGS. Aftershock sequences from magnitude 4.8 earthquakes can continue for several days 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 4.8 event is significantly smaller than that historical record.
Actions
Location
Authoritative source: USGS event page (event ID: us7000m1ir). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2024, February 25, 2024). M4.8 Earthquake 43 km NE of Calama, Chile — February 25, 2024. Retrieved May 2, 2024 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us7000m1ir/