Significant M5.3 Earthquake struck on Tuesday Night 179km from Iquique in Chile.

Written by Earthquakelist.org on September 12th, 2023. Last updated November 10th, 2023.

In the night of Tuesday September 12th, 2023, a significant Magnitude 5.3 earthquake hit under land 179 kilometer from Iquique in Chile. Roughly 560 thousand people may have felt this earthquake.

Earthquake Summary

The earthquake struck on land in Chile, 179 kilometer (111 mi) east-southeast of Iquique in Tarapacá. The center of this earthquake had an intermediate depth of 108 km.

Date and Time:	Sep 12, 2023 01:58 (Santiago Time) - Sep 12, 2023 04:58 Universal Time.
Location:	179 km ESE of Iquique, Tarapacá, Chile. Coordinates 20°39'2"S 68°29'50"W.
Map:	Map of area around epicenter. Click to open in Google Maps.
Magnitude:	MAG 5.3 Detected by 30 stations. Maximum Error Range ±0.057 .
Depth:	108 km (67 mi) An intermediate depth.
Max. Intensity:	IV Light On the Modified Mercalli Scale.
Tsunami Risk:	Tsunami very unlikely Tsunami's are usually caused by MAG-6.5+ earthquakes, less than 100km shallow, and with an epicenter under sea. Neither of this seems to be the case. Always stay cautious - More info here.

Minimal impact predicted

Based on scientific estimates by the US Geographic Survey (USGS), the risk of high fatalities for this earthquake is classified at level GREEN (low). They expect an 65% likelyhood of between 0 and 1 fatalities, and a 96% chance that the number of fatalities falls no higher than 10.

The USGS classifies the economic impact of this earthquake at level GREEN (low). They expect an 65% likelyhood of between 0 and 1 million US Dollars in economic damage and impact, and a 96% chance that the economic impact of this earthquake falls no higher than 10 million USD.

Roughly 560 thousand people exposed to shaking

An estimated 560 thousand have been exposed to shaking (An MMI or Modified Mercalli Intensity level II or higher) as a result of this earthquake according scientific estimates published by the USGS.

The highest earthquake impact level for this earthquake is IV, which corresponds with light shaking and likely no damage. Roughly 7,090 people are expected to be exposed to this level. The majority of people (roughly 500 thousand) live in an area exposed to level III, where weak shaking and probably no damage is expected.

People in 3 countries have been exposed to shaking. Roughly 410 thousand people were exposed to shaking in Chile , with level IV (light shaking, likely no damage) as the highest recorded. Roughly 150 thousand people were exposed to shaking in Bolivia . Shaking was experienced by inhabitants of Argentina too.

People	MMI Level	Shaking	Damage
0	I	Not noticable	None
51,480	II	Very weak	None
498,500	III	Weak	Probably none
7,090	IV	Light	Likely none
0	V	Moderate	Very light
0	VI	Strong	Light
0	VII	Very Strong	Moderate
0	VIII	Severe	Moderate to heavy
0	IX	Violent	Heavy
0	X	Extreme	Very heavy

Nearby towns and cities

This earthquake may have been felt in Chile . The closest significant population center near the earthquake is Alto Hospicio in Tarapacá, Chile. Alto Hospicio is located 173 kilometer (107 mi) east-southeast of the epicenter. The intensity of shaking and damage in Alto Hospicio is estimated to be around level III on the Modified Mercalli Intensity scale (weak shaking, probably no damage).

Multiple major population centers exist within 300km of the earthquake that struck today. Iquique is located 179 km to the west-northwest and experienced an intensity of III (weak shaking, probably no damage). Calama is located 206 km to the south-southwest (intensity unknown, possibly low). Alto Hospicio is located 173 km to the west-northwest and experienced an intensity of III (weak shaking, probably no damage).

The table below provides an overview of all places in proximity of today's earthquake. Where available, the estimated intensity on the Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale in each place is included. Places where this information is omitted likely experienced little impact.

Overview of nearby places

Cities and Towns around the epicenter of this earthquake.
Distance	Place	Intensity (MMI)
173 km (107 mi) WNW from epicenter	Alto Hospicio Tarapacá, Chile.	III Weak
175 km (109 mi) WNW from epicenter	La Tirana Tarapacá, Chile.	III Weak
176 km (109 mi) WNW from epicenter	Playa Brava Tarapacá, Chile.	III Weak
177 km (110 mi) WNW from epicenter	Goméz Carreño Tarapacá, Chile.	III Weak
177 km (110 mi) WNW from epicenter	Caupolicán Tarapacá, Chile.	III Weak
178 km (111 mi) WNW from epicenter	Cavancha Tarapacá, Chile.	III Weak
179 km (111 mi) WNW from epicenter	Iquique Tarapacá, Chile.	III Weak
206 km (128 mi) SSW from epicenter	Calama Antofagasta, Chile.
238 km (148 mi) SW from epicenter	Tocopilla Antofagasta, Chile.	II Weak

Earthquake Intensity Map

The graph below overlays a map of the region around the epicenter with earthquake intensity data provided by the US Geographic Survey. The highest intensity level detected for this earthquake is IV.

I Not felt

II Weak

III Weak

IV Light

V Moderate

VI Strong

VII Very Strong

VIII Severe

IX Violent

X Extreme

Earthquake Intensity Map based on Shakemap Data provided by USGS.

Shaking reported by 15 people

People that feel an earthquake may report their experience to the US Geographic Survey. Currently, 15 people have reported shaking in 3 places, all within Chile.We keep updating this article as more ground reports become available. You may report that you felt this earthquake here.

Places with most reports:

Iquique, Tarapacá, Chile: 12 people.
Calama, Antofagasta, Chile: 2 people.
Arica, Tarapacá, Chile: 1 person.

5 Aftershocks detected

This main shock was followed by 5 smaller aftershocks. A 4.4 magnitude earthquake hit 3 days later 55 km (34 mi) west-southwest of this earthquake.

This main shock was prefaced by 10 smaller foreshocks. Nearby this earthquake a foreshock struck 2 days earlier. It measured a magnitude of 4.2

Overview of foreshocks and aftershocks

Detected MAG2.5+ earthquakes within within 100km (62 mi), that occurred in the three days before and after the main shock.
Classification	Magnitude	When	Where
Foreshock	M 2.9	3 days earlier Sep 9, 2023 11:54 (Santiago Time)	69 km (43 mi) SW from Main Shock.
Foreshock	M 4.2	2 days earlier Sep 9, 2023 21:59 (Santiago Time)	92 km (57 mi) SSE from Main Shock.
Foreshock	M 4.0	2 days earlier Sep 9, 2023 21:59 (Santiago Time)	79 km (49 mi) S from Main Shock.
Foreshock	M 3.0	2 days earlier Sep 10, 2023 04:23 (Santiago Time)	44 km (27 mi) WSW from Main Shock.
Foreshock	M 2.5	1 day earlier Sep 10, 2023 23:35 (Santiago Time)	72 km (45 mi) SW from Main Shock.
Foreshock	M 2.6	1 day earlier Sep 11, 2023 01:52 (Santiago Time)	56 km (35 mi) WSW from Main Shock.
Foreshock	M 2.8	8 hrs earlier Sep 11, 2023 18:22 (Santiago Time)	49 km (30 mi) WNW from Main Shock.
Foreshock	M 3.7	4 hrs earlier Sep 11, 2023 21:41 (Santiago Time)	65 km (40 mi) S from Main Shock.
Foreshock	M 3.2	4 hrs earlier Sep 11, 2023 22:20 (Santiago Time)	76 km (47 mi) SSW from Main Shock.
Foreshock	M 2.9	28 mins earlier Sep 12, 2023 01:30 (Santiago Time)	71 km (44 mi) SW from Main Shock.
Main Shock This Earthquake	M 5.3	Sep 12, 2023 01:58 (Santiago Time)	-
Aftershock	M 3.1	12 hrs later Sep 12, 2023 13:31 (Santiago Time)	81 km (50 mi) SSW from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 2.5	22 hrs later Sep 13, 2023 00:13 (Santiago Time)	69 km (43 mi) W from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 2.6	2 days later Sep 13, 2023 14:57 (Santiago Time)	62 km (39 mi) SW from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 2.8	3 days later Sep 14, 2023 18:43 (Santiago Time)	94 km (58 mi) S from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 4.4	3 days later Sep 15, 2023 00:09 (Santiago Time)	55 km (34 mi) WSW from Main Shock.

More earthquakes coming?

Earthquakes can create aftershocks. These are generally at least 1 magnitude lower than any main shock, and as time passes the chance and strength of aftershocks decreases.

It's always adviced to be cautious of the risk of a larger shock following any significant earthquake, however this risk is fairly small. There is a roughly 94 percent change that no larger main shock will follow in the days following this earthquake.

Read: How to Stay Safe during an Earthquake (cdc.gov).

Earthquakes like this happen often in the region

Earthquakes of this strength are very common in the region. This is the strongest earthquake to hit since May 30th, 2023, when a 5.5 magnitude earthquake hit 222 km (138 mi) further west. An even stronger magnitude 8.2 earthquake struck on April 1st, 2014.

In total, 119 earthquakes with a magnitude of 5.3 or higher have been registered within 300km (186 mi) of this epicenter in the past 10 years. This comes down to an average of once every month.

Tsunami very unlikely

DISCLAIMER: We strongly suggest to closely monitor advice from local authorities with regards to tsunami risks. Our analysis is based on automatically collected data from external sources, and these might contain mistakes. In addition, earthquakes can cause landslides that may lead to a tsunami, or be a followed by another, potentially stonger, earthquake.

It is very unlikely that this eartquake will cause any tsunami's. The reported magnitude is lower than the MAG-6.5 strength required to cause any earthquakes. In addition, this earthquake was not very shallow and appears to have occurred under land. However always stay cautious and monitor advice from local authorities.

Tsunami Risk Factors

Factor	Under Sea?	MAG-6.5 or stronger?	Shallow depth?
Explanation	Almost all tsunami's are caused by earthquakes with their epicenter under sea or very near the sea. However stay cautious in coastal areas as earthquakes on land may cause landslides into sea, potentially still causing a local tsunami.	Under MAG 6.5: Very unlikely to cause a tsunami. MAG 6.5 to 7.5: Destructive tsunami's do occur, but are uncommon. Likely to observe small sea level changes. MAG 7.6+: Earthquakes with these magnitudes might produce destructive tsunami's.	Most destructive tsunami's are caused by shallow earthquakes with a depth between 0 and 100km under the surface of the earth. Deeper tsunami's are unlikely to displace to ocean floor.
This Earthquake	Not this earthquake. This earthquake appears to have struck on land far from any coast.	Not this earthquake. This earthquake had a magnitude of 5.3. Earthquakes of this strength are unlikely to trigger a tsunami.	Not this earthquake. This earthquake occurred at a depth of 108 km (67 mi). Earthquakes this deep in the earth are unlikely to trigger a tsunami.

Sources

Last updated 10/11/23 19:48 (). As more information on this earthquake becomes available this article will be updated. This article is automatically composed based on data originating from multiple sources.