M5.1 Earthquake 26 km NE of Calama, Chile — May 27, 2026
2026-05-27 05:23:30 UTC (1 hour ago) · approx. 12:23 AM UTC-5 local
Aftershock of the M6.9 mainshock.
On May 27, 2026 at 05:23 UTC, a magnitude 5.1 intermediate depth earthquake struck 26 km NE of Calama, Chile, at a depth of 102.5 km and coordinates -22.2820°, -68.7512°. This earthquake was detected by 71 seismic stations with excellent location accuracy and was assigned a USGS significance rating of 400, placing it among routine seismic activity.
Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 5.1 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 674 metric tons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 2.0 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 6.9 mainshock that occurred 1 day ago 29 km ENE of Calama, Chile. Since the mainshock, the USGS has recorded 5 aftershocks in this area. Aftershock activity is expected to continue for weeks to months as stresses on surrounding faults redistribute.
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
-68.7512°E
Technical Information
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Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 5.1 earthquake near Calama, Chile?
The magnitude 5.1 earthquake that struck 26 km NE of Calama, Chile on May 27, 2026 at 05:23 UTC had a depth of 102.5 km. For context, this was a moderate earthquake that could be widely felt.
Where did the earthquake occur?
The earthquake epicenter was located at -22.2820°, -68.7512°, which is 26 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 5.1 earthquakes can continue for days to weeks and gradually diminish over time.
Is this the same earthquake as the M6.9 one earlier?
No. This magnitude 5.1 earthquake is an aftershock of the larger magnitude 6.9 mainshock that occurred earlier 29 km ENE of Calama, Chile. Aftershocks are smaller earthquakes triggered by stress changes from the mainshock.
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 5.1 event is significantly smaller than that historical record.
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.
Authoritative source: USGS event page (event ID: us7000snt8). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2026, May 27, 2026). M5.1 Earthquake 26 km NE of Calama, Chile — May 27, 2026. Retrieved May 27, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us7000snt8/