On Saturday Evening a Strong M6.0 Earthquake struck 161km from San Juan in Argentina.

Written by Earthquakelist.org on September 21st, 2024. Last updated November 20th, 2024.

Under land 161 kilometer from San Juan in Argentina, a strong MAG-6.0 earthquake occurred in the evening of Saturday September 21st, 2024. Roughly 2.9 million people may have felt this earthquake.

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Earthquake Summary

The earthquake struck on land in Argentina, 161 kilometer (100 mi) east-southeast of San Juan. The center of this earthquake had an intermediate depth of 141 km.

Date and Time:	Sep 21, 2024 18:24 (San Juan Time) - Sep 21, 2024 21:24 Universal Time.
Location:	161 km ESE of San Juan, Argentina. Coordinates 31°53'27"S 66°53'13"W.
Map:	Map of area around epicenter. Click to open in Google Maps.
Magnitude:	MAG 6.0 Detected by 38 stations. Maximum Error Range ±0.05 .
Depth:	141 km (88 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 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 2.9 million people exposed to shaking

This earthquake may have been felt by around 2.9 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.

Light shaking and likely no damage may have been experienced by an estimated 1,005,000 people. At IV, it is the highest MMI level this earthquake has caused. Intensity level III was experienced by the majority of people (around 1.9 million). In their region, weak shaking and probably no damage can be expected. All exposure to shaking was within the borders of Argentina .

Nearby towns and cities

This earthquake may have been felt in Argentina . Located 134 kilometer (83 mi) east of the epicenter of this earthquake, Caucete (San Juan, Argentina) is the nearest significant population center. The intensity of shaking and damage in Caucete is estimated to be around level IV on the Modified Mercalli Intensity scale (light shaking, likely no damage).

Major cities near this earthquake: Santiago is located 393 km to the west-southwest (intensity unknown, possibly low). Córdoba is located 262 km to the east-northeast (intensity unknown, possibly low). Mendoza is located 213 km to the west-southwest 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

Earthquake Intensity Map

The maximum intensity (MMI Scale) caused by this earthquake is IV. 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

Shaking reported by 32 people in 2 countries

People that feel an earthquake may report their experience to the US Geographic Survey. Currently, 32 people have reported shaking in 11 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:

• Mendoza, Mendoza, Argentina: 8 people.
• San Juan, San Juan, Argentina: 6 people.
• Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina: 5 people.
• Santiago, Metropolitana, Chile: 5 people.
• La Rioja, La Rioja, Argentina: 2 people.
• Alta Gracia, Córdoba, Argentina: 1 person.
• Villa Carlos Paz, Córdoba, Argentina: 1 person.
• San Martín, Mendoza, Argentina: 1 person.
• Coquimbo, Coquimbo, Chile: 1 person.
• La Serena, Coquimbo, Chile: 1 person.

3 Aftershocks detected

This main shock was followed by 3 smaller aftershocks. A 4.5 magnitude earthquake hit 14 hrs later 20 km (12 mi) west of this earthquake.

Overview of foreshocks and aftershocks

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.

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.

This is the strongest earthquake in 4 years

Earthquakes of this strength occur quite regularly in the region. This is the strongest earthquake to hit since January 19th, 2021, when a 6.4 magnitude earthquake hit 181 km (112 mi) further west. That was also the heaviest earthquake to hit the region in the past 10 years.

In total, 3 earthquakes with a magnitude of 6 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 years.

Tsunami very unlikely

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

Sources

Last updated 20/11/24 05:48 (). 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.

1. US Geographic Society (USGS): Earthquake us6000ntjh
2. European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC): Earthquake 20240921_0000197
3. Geonames.org: World Cities Database
4. Google Maps: Static API
5. Earthquakelist.org: Historic Earthquakes Database

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