Significant M5.5 Earthquake hit 283km from Salta in Argentina on Wednesday Night.

Written by Earthquakelist.org on August 21st, 2024. Last updated September 16th, 2024.

In the night of Wednesday August 21st, 2024, a significant MAG-5.5 earthquake hit under land 283 kilometer from Salta in Argentina. Around 1 million people have been exposed to shaking. Another nearby country is Bolivia.

Earthquake Summary

The earthquake struck on land in Argentina, 283 kilometer (176 mi) north-northwest of Salta. The center of this earthquake had an intermediate depth of 267 km.

Date and Time:	Aug 21, 2024 02:55 (La Paz Time) - Aug 21, 2024 06:55 Universal Time.
Location:	44 km WSW of Villazón, Potosí, Bolivia. Coordinates 22°17'37"S 65°57'39"W.
Map:	Map of area around epicenter. Click to open in Google Maps.
Magnitude:	MAG 5.5 Detected by 42 stations. Maximum Error Range ±0.048 .
Depth:	267 km (166 mi) An intermediate depth.
Max. Intensity:	III Weak 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 1 million people exposed to shaking

This earthquake may have been felt by around 1 million people. That is the expected population size of the area exposed to a level of shaking of II or higher on the Modified Mercalli scale according to the USGS.

An estimated 653,400 people were exposed to level III. At this level, weak shaking and probably no damage can be expected.

People in 3 countries have been exposed to shaking. In Bolivia , around 650 thousand people, with impact levels up to III (weak shaking, probably no damage). In Argentina , around 390 thousand people. People were exposed to shaking in Chile as well.

People	MMI Level	Shaking	Damage
10	I	Not noticable	None
387,200	II	Very weak	None
653,400	III	Weak	Probably none
0	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

2 countries can be found within 300km of the epicenter of this earthquake: Bolivia and Argentina .

The closest significant population center near the earthquake is Villazón in Potosí, Bolivia. Villazón is located 44 kilometer (27 mi) west-southwest of the epicenter. The intensity of shaking and damage in Villazón is estimated to be around level II on the Modified Mercalli Intensity scale (very weak shaking, no damage).

Multiple large cities are in proximity of today's earthquake. Salta is located 283 km to the south-southeast (intensity unknown, possibly low). San Salvador de Jujuy is located 222 km to the south-southeast (intensity unknown, possibly low). Tarija is located 152 km to the north-east and experienced an intensity of III (weak shaking, probably no damage).

An overview of nearby towns and cities is available in the overview below. If places don't have intensity data available, it likely means the experienced impact in those places was fairly small.

Overview of nearby places

Cities and Towns around the epicenter of this earthquake.
Distance	Place	Intensity (MMI)
44 km (27 mi) ENE from epicenter	Villazón Potosí, Bolivia.	II Weak
98 km (61 mi) NNE from epicenter	Tupiza Potosí, Bolivia.	III Weak
152 km (94 mi) NE from epicenter	Tarija Tarija, Bolivia.	III Weak
174 km (108 mi) ESE from epicenter	Bermejo Tarija, Bolivia.	III Weak
192 km (119 mi) ESE from epicenter	San Ramón de la Nueva Orán Salta, Argentina.	III Weak
207 km (129 mi) SE from epicenter	Libertador General San Martín Jujuy, Argentina.	III Weak
216 km (134 mi) ESE from epicenter	Embarcación Salta, Argentina.	II Weak
222 km (138 mi) SSE from epicenter	San Salvador de Jujuy Jujuy, Argentina.
223 km (139 mi) E from epicenter	Tartagal Salta, Argentina.
223 km (139 mi) E from epicenter	General Mosconi Salta, Argentina.
231 km (144 mi) SSE from epicenter	Palpalá Jujuy, Argentina.
243 km (151 mi) SSE from epicenter	San Pedro de Jujuy Jujuy, Argentina.
282 km (175 mi) ENE from epicenter	Villamontes Tarija, Bolivia.
283 km (176 mi) SSE from epicenter	Salta Salta, Argentina.

Earthquake Intensity Map

The maximum intensity (MMI Scale) caused by this earthquake is III. 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 2 people

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

Santiago, Metropolitana, Chile: 1 person.
Iquique, Tarapacá, Chile: 1 person.

Aftershocks detected

This main shock was followed by 1 smaller aftershock. Just 2 days after this main shock, an earthquake measuring MAG-3 was detected 62 km (39 mi) west-southwest of this earthquake.

In the days before this main shock, 2 smaller foreshocks were detected. A 3.6 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 3.3	3 days earlier Aug 18, 2024 09:25 (La Paz Time)	39 km (24 mi) WSW from Main Shock.
Foreshock	M 3.6	2 days earlier Aug 19, 2024 06:08 (La Paz Time)	45 km (28 mi) SW from Main Shock.
Main Shock This Earthquake	M 5.5	Aug 21, 2024 02:55 (La Paz Time)	-
Aftershock	M 3.0	2 days later Aug 22, 2024 15:50 (La Paz Time)	62 km (39 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.

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 happen often in the region

Earthquakes of this strength are very common in the region. This is the strongest earthquake to hit since July 19th, 2024, when a 7.4 magnitude earthquake hit 209 km (130 mi) further west-southwest. That was also the heaviest earthquake to hit the region in the past 10 years.

In total, 40 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 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.

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 267 km (166 mi). Earthquakes this deep in the earth are unlikely to trigger a tsunami.

Sources

Last updated 16/09/24 03:28 (). 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.