On Sunday Night a Significant M5.4 Earthquake struck 162km from San Rafael in Argentina.

Written by Earthquakelist.org on November 3rd, 2024. Last updated November 7th, 2024.

Under land 162 kilometer from San Rafael in Argentina, a significant MAG-5.4 earthquake occurred in the night of Sunday November 3rd, 2024. Roughly 2.3 million people may have felt this earthquake. Another nearby country is Chile.

Felt the earthquake? Share this article:

Earthquake Summary

The earthquake struck on land in Argentina, 162 kilometer (101 mi) southwest of San Rafael in Mendoza. The center of this earthquake had an intermediate depth of 189 km.

Date and Time:	Nov 3, 2024 01:04 (Mendoza Time) - Nov 3, 2024 04:04 Universal Time.
Location:	270 km SSE of Santiago, Santiago Metropolitan, Chile. Coordinates 35°42'9"S 69°31'2"W.
Map:	Map of area around epicenter. Click to open in Google Maps.
Magnitude:	MAG 5.4 Detected by 63 stations. Maximum Error Range ±0.039 .
Depth:	189 km (118 mi) An intermediate depth.
Max. Intensity:	IV Light 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 2.3 million people exposed to shaking

This earthquake may have been felt by around 2.3 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.

The highest earthquake impact level for this earthquake is IV, which corresponds with light shaking and likely no damage. Roughly 780 people are expected to be exposed to this level. Intensity level III was experienced by the majority of people (around 2.1 million). In their region, weak shaking and probably no damage can be expected.

People in 2 countries have been exposed to shaking. In Argentina , around 380 thousand people, with impact levels up to IV (light shaking, likely no damage). In Chile , around 1.9 million people.

Nearby towns and cities

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

San Rafael in Mendoza, Argentina is the nearest significant place from the epicenter. The earthquake occurred 162 kilometer (101 mi) southwest of San Rafael. The intensity of shaking and damage in San Rafael is estimated to be around level III on the Modified Mercalli Intensity scale (weak shaking, probably no damage).

Major cities near this earthquake: Santiago is located 270 km to the north-northwest (intensity unknown, possibly low). Puente Alto is located 252 km to the north-northwest (intensity unknown, possibly low). Rancagua is located 204 km to the northwest 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 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

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 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:

• Santiago, Metropolitana, Chile: 8 people.
• Puente Alto, Metropolitana, Chile: 3 people.
• Viña del Mar, Valparaíso, Chile: 3 people.
• San Rafael, Mendoza, Argentina: 1 person.
• Arauco, Bío Bío, Chile: 1 person.
• Rancagua, Libertador General Bernardo OʿHiggins, Chile: 1 person.
• Talca, Maule, Chile: 1 person.
• Peñaflor, Metropolitana, Chile: 1 person.
• San Bernardo, Metropolitana, Chile: 1 person.
• Calera, Valparaíso, Chile: 1 person.

Risk of aftershocks?

This earthquake did not have any significant foreshocks nor aftershocks occurring within 100km (62 mi) of its epicenter.

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.

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 17th, 2023, when a 6.6 magnitude earthquake hit 288 km (179 mi) further south-southwest. That was also the heaviest earthquake to hit the region in the past 10 years.

In total, 14 earthquakes with a magnitude of 5.4 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 9 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

Sources

Last updated 07/11/24 03:08 (). 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.

1. US Geographic Society (USGS): Earthquake us7000npn0
2. European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC): Earthquake 20241103_0000044
3. Geonames.org: World Cities Database
4. Google Maps: Static API
5. Earthquakelist.org: Historic Earthquakes Database

Share this article: