Significant M5.5 Earthquake hit 228km from Yurimaguas in Peru on Monday Evening.

Written by Earthquakelist.org on June 18th, 2024. Last updated June 27th, 2024.

A significant M5.5 earthquake struck under land 228 kilometer from Yurimaguas in Peru in the evening of Monday June 17th, 2024. Shaking may have been felt by a total of 370 thousand people. Another nearby country is Ecuador.

Earthquake Summary

The earthquake struck on land in Peru, 228 kilometer (142 mi) north-northwest of Yurimaguas in Loreto. The center of this earthquake had an intermediate depth of 105 km.

Date and Time:	Jun 17, 2024 21:22 (Lima Time) - Jun 18, 2024 02:22 Universal Time.
Location:	282 km ESE of Cuenca, Azuay, Ecuador. Coordinates 3°55'30"S 76°40'36"W.
Map:	Map of area around epicenter. Click to open in Google Maps.
Magnitude:	MAG 5.5 Detected by 83 stations. Maximum Error Range ±0.034 .
Depth:	105 km (65 mi) An intermediate depth.
Max. Intensity:	V Moderate 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 370 thousand people exposed to shaking

An estimated 370 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.

Light shaking and likely no damage may have been experienced by an estimated 133,400 people. At IV, it is the highest MMI level this earthquake has caused. The majority of people (roughly 240 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. Roughly 230 thousand people were exposed to shaking in Peru , with level IV (light shaking, likely no damage) as the highest recorded. In Ecuador , around 140 thousand people.

People	MMI Level	Shaking	Damage
0	I	Not noticable	None
0	II	Very weak	None
240,200	III	Weak	Probably none
133,400	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 struck within proximity of multiple countries. Peru and Ecuador are both within 300km distance of its epicenter.

Located 228 kilometer (142 mi) north-northwest of the epicenter of this earthquake, Yurimaguas (Loreto, Peru) is the nearest significant population center.

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)
228 km (142 mi) SSE from epicenter	Yurimaguas Loreto, Peru.
237 km (147 mi) S from epicenter	Moyobamba San Martín, Peru.
240 km (149 mi) NW from epicenter	Macas Morona-Santiago, Ecuador.	III Weak
243 km (151 mi) SSW from epicenter	Rioja San Martín, Peru.
253 km (157 mi) W from epicenter	Zamora Zamora-Chinchipe, Ecuador.
260 km (162 mi) WNW from epicenter	Gualaceo Azuay, Ecuador.
270 km (168 mi) SW from epicenter	La Peca Amazonas, Peru.	III Weak
275 km (171 mi) WNW from epicenter	Azogues Cañar, Ecuador.
280 km (174 mi) W from epicenter	Loja Loja, Ecuador.
282 km (175 mi) WNW from epicenter	Cuenca Azuay, Ecuador.
282 km (175 mi) SW from epicenter	Bagua Grande Amazonas, Peru.
288 km (179 mi) S from epicenter	La Banda San Martín, Peru.
289 km (180 mi) SSW from epicenter	Chachapoyas Amazonas, Peru.
298 km (185 mi) W from epicenter	Catamayo Loja, Ecuador.

Earthquake Intensity Map

The intensity in shaking and damage by this earthquake is illustrated through the map below. The highest intensity measured 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 9 people in 2 countries

People that feel an earthquake may report their experience to the US Geographic Survey. Currently, 9 people have reported shaking in 5 places in 2 countries (Ecuador, Peru).We keep updating this article as more ground reports become available. You may report that you felt this earthquake here.

Places with most reports:

Loja, Loja, Ecuador: 5 people.
Cuenca, Azuay, Ecuador: 1 person.
Gualaquiza, Morona Santiago, Ecuador: 1 person.
Barranca, Loreto, Peru: 1 person.
Iquitos, Loreto, Peru: 1 person.

Aftershocks detected

Since this main shock, 1 smaller aftershock was detected. A 4.4 magnitude earthquake hit 2 days later 93 km (58 mi) west-southwest of this earthquake.

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
Main Shock This Earthquake	M 5.5	Jun 17, 2024 21:22 (Lima Time)	-
Aftershock	M 4.4	2 days later Jun 19, 2024 17:15 (Lima Time)	93 km (58 mi) WSW from Main Shock.

More earthquakes coming?

Aftershocks are usually at least 1 order of magnitude less strong than main shocks. The more time passes, the smaller the chance and likely strength of any potential aftershocks.

The chance that a significant earthquake like this one is followed by an even larger earthquake is not so large. On average, scientists estimate a 94% chance that a major earthquake will not be followed by an even larger one. It is still adviced to be aware of this risk

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

Earthquakes like this are common in the region

Earthquakes of this strength occur quite regularly in the region. This is the strongest earthquake to hit since October 31st, 2022, when a 5.6 magnitude earthquake hit 175 km (109 mi) further north-northeast. An even stronger magnitude 8 earthquake struck on May 26th, 2019.

In total, 10 earthquakes with a magnitude of 5.5 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 year.

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 5.5. Earthquakes of this strength are unlikely to trigger a tsunami.	Not this earthquake. This earthquake occurred at a depth of 105 km (65 mi). Earthquakes this deep in the earth are unlikely to trigger a tsunami.

Sources

Last updated 27/06/24 02:18 (). 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.