M4.7 Earthquake 42 km ESE of Calama, Chile — September 12, 2024
2024-09-12 23:51:25 UTC (2024-09-12) · approx. 6:51 PM UTC-5 local
On September 12, 2024 at 23:51 UTC, a magnitude 4.7 intermediate depth earthquake struck 42 km ESE of Calama, Chile, at a depth of 108.0 km and coordinates -22.5418°, -68.5215°. This earthquake was detected by 72 seismic stations with excellent location accuracy and was assigned a USGS significance rating of 340, placing it among routine seismic activity.
Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 4.7 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 169 metric tons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 1.1 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
-68.5215°E
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Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 4.7 earthquake near Calama, Chile?
The magnitude 4.7 earthquake that struck 42 km ESE of Calama, Chile on September 12, 2024 at 23:51 UTC had a depth of 108.0 km. For context, this was a light earthquake commonly felt near the epicenter.
Where did the earthquake occur?
The earthquake epicenter was located at -22.5418°, -68.5215°, which is 42 km ESE of Calama, Chile. View all earthquakes in Chile.
Were there aftershocks?
Aftershock activity is monitored continuously by the USGS. Aftershock sequences from magnitude 4.7 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 4.7 event is significantly smaller than that historical record.
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Location
Authoritative source: USGS event page (event ID: us7000ndee). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2024, September 12, 2024). M4.7 Earthquake 42 km ESE of Calama, Chile — September 12, 2024. Retrieved November 21, 2024 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us7000ndee/