On Thursday Afternoon a Strong M6.1 Earthquake struck near Calama in Chile.

Written by Earthquakelist.org on January 2nd, 2025. Last updated January 5th, 2025.

A strong MAG-6.1 earthquake struck under land 85 kilometer from Calama in Chile in the late afternoon of Thursday January 2nd, 2025. Shaking may have been felt by a total of 640 thousand people. Another country near the epicenter is Bolivia.

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Earthquake Summary

The earthquake struck on land in Chile, 85 kilometer (53 mi) north-northwest of Calama in Antofagasta. The center of this earthquake had an intermediate depth of 99 km.

Date and Time:	Jan 2, 2025 17:43 (Santiago Time) - Jan 2, 2025 20:43 Universal Time.
Location:	85 km NNW of Calama, Antofagasta, Chile. Coordinates 21°42'54"S 69°7'30"W.
Map:	Map of area around epicenter. Click to open in Google Maps.
Magnitude:	MAG 6.1 Detected by 79 stations. Maximum Error Range ±0.035 .
Depth:	99 km (62 mi) An intermediate depth.
Max. Intensity:	VI Strong On the Modified Mercalli Scale.
Tsunami Risk:	Tsunami very unlikely While this was a shallow earthquake, it appears to have occurred under land with a magnitude not strong enough to cause tsunami's. 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 640 thousand people exposed to shaking

An estimated 640 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.

Moderate shaking and very light damage may have been experienced by an estimated 171,500 people. At V, it is the highest MMI level this earthquake has caused. The majority of people (roughly 440 thousand) live in an area exposed to level IV, where light shaking and likely no damage is expected.

People in 2 countries have been exposed to shaking. In Chile , around 620 thousand people, with impact levels up to V (moderate shaking, very light damage). Shaking was experienced by inhabitants of Bolivia too.

Nearby towns and cities

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

The closest significant population center near the earthquake is Calama in Antofagasta, Chile. Calama is located 85 kilometer (53 mi) north-northwest of the epicenter. The intensity of shaking and damage in Calama is estimated to be around level V on the Modified Mercalli Intensity scale (moderate shaking, very light damage).

Multiple large cities are in proximity of today's earthquake. Calama is located 85 km to the south-southeast and experienced an intensity of V (moderate shaking, very light damage). Antofagasta is located 252 km to the south-southwest (intensity unknown, possibly low). Iquique is located 198 km to the north-northwest and experienced an intensity of IV (light shaking, likely 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

Earthquake Intensity Map

The maximum intensity (MMI Scale) caused by this earthquake is V. 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 52 people in 3 countries

People that feel an earthquake may report their experience to the US Geographic Survey. Currently, 52 people have reported shaking in 9 places in 3 countries (Argentina, Chile, 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:

• Iquique, Tarapacá, Chile: 28 people.
• Calama, Antofagasta, Chile: 12 people.
• Tocopilla, Antofagasta, Chile: 4 people.
• Antofagasta, Antofagasta, Chile: 2 people.
• Arica, Tarapacá, Chile: 2 people.
• Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina: 1 person.
• Copiapó, Atacama, Chile: 1 person.
• Arequipa, Arequipa, Peru: 1 person.
• Tacna, Tacna, Peru: 1 person.

19 Aftershocks detected

After this earthquake struck, 19 smaller aftershocks occurred. A 4.2 magnitude earthquake hit 18 hrs later 83 km (51 mi) north-northeast of this earthquake.

In the days before this main shock, 14 smaller foreshocks were detected. Nearby this earthquake a foreshock struck 2 days earlier. It measured a magnitude of 3.8

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.

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

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 July 19th, 2024, when a 7.4 magnitude earthquake hit 201 km (125 mi) further south-east. That was also the heaviest earthquake to hit the region in the past 10 years.

In total, 7 earthquakes with a magnitude of 6.1 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

While MAG-6.5+ earthquakes may cause tsunami's, it appears that the epicenter of this earthquake hit under land. In addition, the reported depth is deeper than 100km, making the risk of a tsunami even less likely. However always stay cautious and monitor advice from local authorities.

Tsunami Risk Factors

Sources

Last updated 05/01/25 19:38 (). 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 us6000phap
2. European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC): Earthquake 20250102_0000232
3. Geonames.org: World Cities Database
4. Google Maps: Static API
5. Earthquakelist.org: Historic Earthquakes Database

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