4.2

M4.2 Earthquake 20 km N of Mejillones, ChileSeptember 26, 2024

2024-09-26 23:16:59 UTC (2024-09-26) · approx. 6:16 PM UTC-5 local

MagnitudeM4.2(mb)
Time23:16 UTC6:16 PM UTC-5
Depth35.0 kmshallow crustal
Coordinates-22.921°, -70.415°
Felt byNo felt reports
Status✓ Reviewed by USGS

On September 26, 2024 at 23:16 UTC, a magnitude 4.2 shallow crustal earthquake struck 20 km N of Mejillones, Chile, at a depth of 35.0 km and coordinates -22.9211°, -70.4154°.

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.

Map showing earthquake epicenter at -22.92°, -70.42°

Earthquake Details

Magnitude
4.2 mb
Depth
35.0 km
shallow crustal
Location
-22.9211°N
-70.4154°E

Technical Information

Event ID
us7000ngpx
Event Type
earthquake
Status
✓ Reviewed
Significance
271
Stations Used
20
Azimuthal Gap
159.0°
Min Station Distance
0.603°
RMS Residual
0.72 sec
Last Updated
2024-12-06 19:30:16 UTC

Common Questions

How strong was the magnitude 4.2 earthquake near Mejillones, Chile?

The magnitude 4.2 earthquake that struck 20 km N of Mejillones, Chile on September 26, 2024 at 23:16 UTC had a depth of 35.0 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.

Understanding This Data

Magnitude 4.2 earthquakes are often felt but rarely cause damage.

Learn more about magnitude →

Authoritative source: USGS event page (event ID: us7000ngpx). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.

Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2024, September 26, 2024). M4.2 Earthquake 20 km N of Mejillones, ChileSeptember 26, 2024. Retrieved December 6, 2024 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us7000ngpx/