M4.9 Earthquake 42 km NNW of Valparaíso, Chile — May 31, 2026
2026-05-31 21:46:54 UTC (1 hour ago) · approx. 4:46 PM UTC-5 local
Felt by 11 people across nearby locations. Aftershock of the M6.0 mainshock.
On May 31, 2026 at 21:46 UTC, a magnitude 4.9 shallow crustal earthquake struck 42 km NNW of Valparaíso, Chile, at a depth of 10.0 km and coordinates -32.6827°, -71.8067°. This earthquake was detected by 32 seismic stations with good location accuracy and was assigned a USGS significance rating of 374, placing it among routine seismic activity.
Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 4.9 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 338 metric tons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 1.4 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 6.0 mainshock that occurred 2 hours ago 33 km NW of Valparaíso, Chile. Since the mainshock, the USGS has recorded 2 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
Did You Feel It? — community-reported shaking
Aggregated felt-report intensity from 11 citizen responses 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
-71.8067°E
Technical Information
Nearby Earthquakes (Last 7 Days)
Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 4.9 earthquake near Valparaíso, Chile?
The magnitude 4.9 earthquake that struck 42 km NNW of Valparaíso, Chile on May 31, 2026 at 21:46 UTC had a depth of 10.0 km. For context, this was a light earthquake commonly felt near the epicenter.
Where did the earthquake occur?
The earthquake epicenter was located at -32.6827°, -71.8067°, which is 42 km NNW of Valparaíso, Chile. View all earthquakes in Chile.
Were there aftershocks?
Aftershock activity is monitored continuously by the USGS. Aftershock sequences from magnitude 4.9 earthquakes can continue for several days and gradually diminish over time.
Is this the same earthquake as the M6.0 one earlier?
No. This magnitude 4.9 earthquake is an aftershock of the larger magnitude 6.0 mainshock that occurred earlier 33 km NW of Valparaíso, 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 4.9 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: us7000spqg). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2026, May 31, 2026). M4.9 Earthquake 42 km NNW of Valparaíso, Chile — May 31, 2026. Retrieved May 31, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us7000spqg/