In the evening of Sunday October 20th, 2024, a significant M5.7 earthquake hit under land 74 kilometer from San Juan in Argentina. Shaking may have been felt by a total of 1.3 million people. Another country near the epicenter is Chile.
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Earthquake Summary
The earthquake struck on land in Argentina, 74 kilometer (46 mi) north-northwest of San Juan. The center of this earthquake had an intermediate depth of 108 km.
Date and Time: | Oct 20, 2024 19:59 (San Juan Time) - Oct 20, 2024 22:59 Universal Time. |
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Location: | 74 km NNW of San Juan, Argentina. Coordinates 30°53'37"S 68°44'51"W. |
Map: | Map of area around epicenter. Click to open in Google Maps. |
Magnitude: | MAG 5.7 Detected by 63 stations. Maximum Error Range ±0.039 . |
Depth: | 108 km (67 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 1.3 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 1.3 million have been exposed to shaking at an MMI level of II or higher.
The highest earthquake impact level for this earthquake is IV, which corresponds with light shaking and likely no damage. Roughly 725,200 people are expected to be exposed to this level.
People in 2 countries have been exposed to shaking. Roughly 1.2 million people were exposed to shaking in Argentina , with level IV (light shaking, likely no damage) as the highest recorded. In Chile , around 80 thousand people.
People | MMI Level | Shaking | Damage |
---|---|---|---|
0 | I |
Not noticable | None |
33,820 | II |
Very weak | None |
519,200 | III |
Weak | Probably none |
725,200 | 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
Argentina and Chile are both located within 300km distance of the epicenter of the earthquake.
Albardón in San Juan, Argentina is the nearest significant place from the epicenter. The earthquake occurred 64 kilometer (40 mi) north-northwest of Albardón. The intensity of shaking and damage in Albardón 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. San Juan is located 74 km to the south-southeast and experienced an intensity of IV (light shaking, likely no damage). Mendoza is located 222 km to the south (intensity unknown, possibly low). La Rioja is located 246 km to the north-east 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
Distance | Place | Intensity (MMI) |
---|---|---|
64 km (40 mi) SSE from epicenter |
Albardón San Juan, Argentina. |
IV
Light |
69 km (43 mi) SSE from epicenter |
Chimbas San Juan, Argentina. |
IV
Light |
70 km (43 mi) SSE from epicenter |
Villa Paula de Sarmiento San Juan, Argentina. |
IV
Light |
73 km (45 mi) N from epicenter |
San José de Jáchal San Juan, Argentina. |
IV
Light |
74 km (46 mi) SSE from epicenter |
San Juan San Juan, Argentina. |
IV
Light |
76 km (47 mi) SSE from epicenter |
Santa Lucía San Juan, Argentina. |
IV
Light |
89 km (55 mi) S from epicenter |
Pocito San Juan, Argentina. |
IV
Light |
95 km (59 mi) SSE from epicenter |
Caucete San Juan, Argentina. |
IV
Light |
222 km (138 mi) S from epicenter |
Mendoza Mendoza, Argentina. |
|
227 km (141 mi) NNE from epicenter |
Chilecito La Rioja, Argentina. |
III
Weak |
237 km (147 mi) W from epicenter |
Ovalle Coquimbo Region, Chile. |
|
244 km (152 mi) WSW from epicenter |
Illapel Coquimbo Region, Chile. |
|
245 km (152 mi) S from epicenter |
San Martín Mendoza, Argentina. |
|
246 km (153 mi) NE from epicenter |
La Rioja La Rioja, Argentina. |
III
Weak |
264 km (164 mi) WNW from epicenter |
La Serena Coquimbo Region, Chile. |
|
270 km (168 mi) WNW from epicenter |
Coquimbo Coquimbo Region, Chile. |
|
278 km (173 mi) SW from epicenter |
San Felipe Valparaíso, Chile. |
|
278 km (173 mi) SW from epicenter |
Los Andes Valparaíso, Chile. |
|
292 km (181 mi) SW from epicenter |
La Ligua Valparaíso, Chile. |
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.
Shaking reported by 22 people in 2 countries
People that feel an earthquake may report their experience to the US Geographic Survey. Currently, 22 people have reported shaking in 6 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:
- San Juan, San Juan, Argentina: 12 people.
- La Serena, Coquimbo, Chile: 3 people.
- Santiago, Metropolitana, Chile: 3 people.
- Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina: 2 people.
- Vicuña, Coquimbo, Chile: 1 person.
- Villa Alemana, Valparaíso, Chile: 1 person.
5 Aftershocks detected
After this earthquake struck, 5 smaller aftershocks occurred. A 3.6 magnitude earthquake hit 3 days later 79 km (49 mi) south of this earthquake.
This main shock was prefaced by 6 smaller foreshocks. Nearby this earthquake a foreshock struck 2 days earlier. It measured a magnitude of 3.6
Overview of foreshocks and aftershocks
Classification | Magnitude | When | Where |
---|---|---|---|
Foreshock | M 3.1 |
3 days earlier Oct 17, 2024 23:43 (San Juan Time) | 80 km (49 mi) SW from Main Shock. |
Foreshock | M 3.1 |
3 days earlier Oct 18, 2024 06:53 (San Juan Time) | 70 km (43 mi) SE from Main Shock. |
Foreshock | M 3.6 |
2 days earlier Oct 18, 2024 18:24 (San Juan Time) | 56 km (35 mi) SSE from Main Shock. |
Foreshock | M 3.1 |
2 days earlier Oct 18, 2024 22:02 (San Juan Time) | 74 km (46 mi) S from Main Shock. |
Foreshock | M 3.2 |
2 days earlier Oct 19, 2024 00:10 (San Juan Time) | 65 km (41 mi) S from Main Shock. |
Foreshock | M 3.1 |
1 day earlier Oct 19, 2024 14:08 (San Juan Time) | 87 km (54 mi) SE from Main Shock. |
Main Shock This Earthquake |
M 5.7 |
Oct 20, 2024 19:59 (San Juan Time) | - |
Aftershock | M 3.2 |
1 day later Oct 22, 2024 00:47 (San Juan Time) | 47 km (29 mi) SSE from Main Shock. |
Aftershock | M 3.2 |
2 days later Oct 22, 2024 18:33 (San Juan Time) | 79 km (49 mi) S from Main Shock. |
Aftershock | M 3.1 |
2 days later Oct 23, 2024 00:05 (San Juan Time) | 82 km (51 mi) S from Main Shock. |
Aftershock | M 3.3 |
2 days later Oct 23, 2024 07:42 (San Juan Time) | 83 km (52 mi) SSE from Main Shock. |
Aftershock | M 3.6 |
3 days later Oct 23, 2024 08:06 (San Juan Time) | 79 km (49 mi) S 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.
In only six percent of cases, significant earthquakes are followed by a larger main shock, making the current earthquake a foreshock. While the chance of this happening is not so large, it is adviced to maintain cautiousness in the hours and days following a major 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 September 21st, 2024, when a 6 magnitude earthquake hit 217 km (135 mi) further east-southeast. An even stronger magnitude 8.3 earthquake struck on September 16th, 2015.
In total, 29 earthquakes with a magnitude of 5.7 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 4 months.
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
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 5.7. 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 02/11/24 00:28 (). This article contains currently available information about the earthquake and is automatically composed. We continue to update this article up to a few days after the earthquake occurred.