On Tuesday Evening a Shallow M5.8 Earthquake struck near Vallenar in Chile.

Written by Earthquakelist.org on February 14th, 2024. Last updated April 13th, 2024.

In the evening of Tuesday February 13th, 2024, a shallow and significant Magnitude 5.8 earthquake hit under land 73 kilometer from Vallenar in Chile. Roughly 0.9 million people may have felt this earthquake. Argentina is also near its epicenter.

Earthquake Summary

The earthquake struck on land in Chile, 73 kilometer (45 mi) west-southwest of Vallenar in Atacama. The center of this earthquake had a quite shallow depth of 28 km. Shallow earthquakes usually have a larger impact than earthquakes deep in the earth.

Date and Time:	Feb 13, 2024 22:31 (Santiago Time) - Feb 14, 2024 01:31 Universal Time.
Location:	73 km WSW of Vallenar, Atacama, Chile. Coordinates 28°53'29"S 71°25'13"W.
Map:	Map of area around epicenter. Click to open in Google Maps.
Magnitude:	MAG 5.8 Detected by 46 stations. Maximum Error Range ±0.046 .
Depth:	28 km (17 mi) A quite shallow depth.
Max. Intensity:	VI Strong On the Modified Mercalli Scale.
Tsunami Risk:	Tsunami very unlikely While this was a shallow earthquake in a coastal area, it appears to have occurred under land (7 km from the sea) with a magnitude that is usually not strong enough to cause tsunami's. 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 68% likelyhood of between 0 and 1 million US Dollars in economic damage and impact, and a 98% chance that the economic impact of this earthquake falls no higher than 10 million USD.

Roughly 0.9 million people exposed to shaking

The USGS has published a report estimating the number of people exposed to this earthquake. Acoording to their analysis, roughly 0.9 million have been exposed to shaking at an MMI level of II or higher.

The highest earthquake impact level for this earthquake is VI, which corresponds with strong shaking and probably light damage. Roughly 1,660 people are expected to be exposed to this level. The majority of people (roughly 550 thousand) live in an area exposed to level III, where weak shaking and probably no damage is expected.

People in 2 countries have been exposed to shaking. In Chile , around 0.9 million people, with impact levels up to VI (strong shaking, probably light damage). People were exposed to shaking in Argentina as well.

People	MMI Level	Shaking	Damage
0	I	Not noticable	None
60	II	Very weak	None
546,200	III	Weak	Probably none
375,300	IV	Light	Likely none
2,980	V	Moderate	Very light
1,660	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

Chile and Argentina are both located within 300km distance of the epicenter of the earthquake.

Located 73 kilometer (45 mi) west-southwest of the epicenter of this earthquake, Vallenar (Atacama, Chile) is the nearest significant population center. The intensity of shaking and damage in Vallenar is estimated to be around level IV on the Modified Mercalli Intensity scale (light shaking, likely no damage).

Multiple major population centers exist within 300km of the earthquake that struck today. Coquimbo is located 118 km to the south and experienced an intensity of IV (light shaking, likely no damage). La Serena is located 114 km to the south and experienced an intensity of IV (light shaking, likely no damage). Copiapó is located 200 km to the north-northeast and experienced an intensity of III (weak shaking, probably no damage).

A complete list of nearby places is included below. Estimated intensity data (MMI) sourced from a shake-map published by the US Geographic Survey is shown where available (cities without data probably experienced little impact).

Overview of nearby places

Cities and Towns around the epicenter of this earthquake.
Distance	Place	Intensity (MMI)
73 km (45 mi) ENE from epicenter	Vallenar Atacama, Chile.	IV Light
114 km (71 mi) S from epicenter	La Serena Coquimbo Region, Chile.	IV Light
118 km (73 mi) S from epicenter	Coquimbo Coquimbo Region, Chile.	IV Light
191 km (119 mi) S from epicenter	Ovalle Coquimbo Region, Chile.	III Weak
200 km (124 mi) NNE from epicenter	Copiapó Atacama, Chile.	III Weak
299 km (186 mi) ESE from epicenter	San José de Jáchal San Juan, Argentina.
306 km (190 mi) S from epicenter	Illapel Coquimbo Region, Chile.
309 km (192 mi) NNE from epicenter	Diego de Almagro Atacama, Chile.
383 km (238 mi) E from epicenter	Chilecito La Rioja, Argentina.
396 km (246 mi) S from epicenter	La Ligua Valparaíso, Chile.
397 km (247 mi) SE from epicenter	Albardón San Juan, Argentina.

Earthquake Intensity Map

The maximum intensity (MMI Scale) caused by this earthquake is VI. The map below shows in which areas this earthquake was the most and least impactful. It is based on data from the US Geographic Survey.

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 26 people in 2 countries

People that feel an earthquake may report their experience to the US Geographic Survey. Currently, 26 people have reported shaking in 9 places in 2 countries (Argentina, 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:

La Serena, Coquimbo, Chile: 6 people.
Coquimbo, Coquimbo, Chile: 4 people.
Santiago, Metropolitana, Chile: 4 people.
Copiapó, Atacama, Chile: 3 people.
Vallenar, Atacama, Chile: 3 people.
Vicuña, Coquimbo, Chile: 2 people.
Viña del Mar, Valparaíso, Chile: 2 people.
San Juan, San Juan, Argentina: 1 person.
Andacollo, Coquimbo, Chile: 1 person.

16 Aftershocks detected

After this earthquake struck, 16 smaller aftershocks occurred. At a distance of 52 km (32 mi) southwest of this earthquake, an aftershock struck 2 days later. It measured a magnitude of 5

In the days before this main shock, 4 smaller foreshocks were detected. A 5.4 magnitude earthquake hit 2 days earlier nearby.

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 3.2	2 days earlier Feb 11, 2024 12:36 (Santiago Time)	28 km (17 mi) NNE from Main Shock.
Foreshock	M 5.4	2 days earlier Feb 11, 2024 18:14 (Santiago Time)	73 km (45 mi) N from Main Shock.
Foreshock	M 3.2	2 days earlier Feb 12, 2024 07:16 (Santiago Time)	88 km (55 mi) SW from Main Shock.
Foreshock	M 3.0	6 hrs earlier Feb 13, 2024 16:13 (Santiago Time)	75 km (47 mi) NNE from Main Shock.
Main Shock This Earthquake	M 5.8	Feb 13, 2024 22:31 (Santiago Time)	-
Aftershock	M 3.7	29 mins later Feb 13, 2024 23:00 (Santiago Time)	6 km (4 mi) WSW from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 2.8	1 hr later Feb 13, 2024 23:39 (Santiago Time)	2.9 km (1.8 mi) W from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 2.6	1 hr later Feb 13, 2024 23:57 (Santiago Time)	7 km (4 mi) W from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 2.7	2 hrs later Feb 14, 2024 00:38 (Santiago Time)	5 km (3 mi) SW from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 3.3	4 hrs later Feb 14, 2024 02:24 (Santiago Time)	7 km (4 mi) W from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 3.1	4 hrs later Feb 14, 2024 02:37 (Santiago Time)	9 km (5 mi) WNW from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 2.9	4 hrs later Feb 14, 2024 02:47 (Santiago Time)	8 km (5 mi) W from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 3.3	8 hrs later Feb 14, 2024 06:12 (Santiago Time)	68 km (42 mi) N from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 2.9	10 hrs later Feb 14, 2024 08:05 (Santiago Time)	8 km (5 mi) WSW from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 3.1	10 hrs later Feb 14, 2024 08:13 (Santiago Time)	0.9 km (0.6 mi) W from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 3.0	18 hrs later Feb 14, 2024 16:12 (Santiago Time)	4 km (2.7 mi) WSW from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 3.1	23 hrs later Feb 14, 2024 21:11 (Santiago Time)	2.2 km (1.4 mi) ESE from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 2.9	1 day later Feb 15, 2024 06:26 (Santiago Time)	8 km (5 mi) WNW from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 2.9	1 day later Feb 15, 2024 07:28 (Santiago Time)	71 km (44 mi) N from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 5.0	2 days later Feb 15, 2024 20:59 (Santiago Time)	52 km (32 mi) SW from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 3.1	2 days later Feb 15, 2024 22:36 (Santiago Time)	2.2 km (1.4 mi) ESE 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 October 31st, 2023, when a 6.6 magnitude earthquake hit 21 km (13 mi) further northwest. An even stronger magnitude 8.3 earthquake struck on September 16th, 2015.

In total, 41 earthquakes with a magnitude of 5.8 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 3 months.

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.

While MAG-6.5+ earthquakes may cause tsunami's, it appears that the epicenter of this earthquake hit under land. In addition, the reported depth is deeper than 100km, making the risk of a tsunami even less likely. 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	This earthquake appears to have struck on land near a coastal area (7 km from the sea).	Not this earthquake. This earthquake had a magnitude of 5.8. Earthquakes of this strength are unlikely to trigger a tsunami.	This earthquake occurred at a depth of of 28 km (17 mi). Earthquakes this shallow could trigger a tsunami.

Sources

Last updated 13/04/24 09:58 (). This article is automatically generated based on available data. We keep checking multiple sources for additional information. This article gets updated as new details on this earthquake become available.