M4.4 Earthquake 94 km SSW of Paracas, Peru — January 3, 2026
2026-01-03 20:17:52 UTC (2026-01-03) · approx. 3:17 PM UTC-5 local
On January 3, 2026 at 20:17 UTC, a magnitude 4.4 shallow crustal earthquake struck 94 km SSW of Paracas, Peru, at a depth of 10.0 km and coordinates -14.7071°, -76.4446°.
Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 4.4 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 60 metric tons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 655 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 5.0 mainshock that occurred 17 days ago 82 km SSW of Paracas, 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.
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
-76.4446°E
Technical Information
Nearby Earthquakes (Last 7 Days)
Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 4.4 earthquake near Paracas, Peru?
The magnitude 4.4 earthquake that struck 94 km SSW of Paracas, Peru on January 3, 2026 at 20:17 UTC had a depth of 10.0 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 4.4 earthquakes can continue for several days and gradually diminish over time.
Is this the same earthquake as the M5.0 one earlier?
No. This magnitude 4.4 earthquake is an aftershock of the larger magnitude 5.0 mainshock that occurred earlier 82 km SSW of Paracas, Peru. 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.
Actions
Location
Understanding This Data
Magnitude 4.4 earthquakes are often felt but rarely cause damage.
Authoritative source: USGS event page (event ID: us7000rmb1). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2026, January 3, 2026). M4.4 Earthquake 94 km SSW of Paracas, Peru — January 3, 2026. Retrieved May 13, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us7000rmb1/