Significant M5.4 Earthquake hit 160km from Iquique in Chile on Saturday Morning.

Written by Earthquakelist.org on December 13th, 2025. Last updated December 14th, 2025.

A significant M5.4 earthquake struck under land 160 kilometer from Iquique in Chile in the morning of Saturday December 13th, 2025. Shaking may have been felt by a total of 630 thousand people.

Earthquake Summary

The earthquake struck on land in Chile, 160 kilometer (99 mi) south-east of Iquique in Tarapacá. The center of this earthquake had an intermediate depth of 96 km.

Date and Time:	Dec 13, 2025 09:18 (Santiago Time) - Dec 13, 2025 12:18 Universal Time.
Location:	160 km SE of Iquique, Tarapacá, Chile. Coordinates 21°13'28"S 69°3'1"W.
Map:	Map of area around epicenter. Click to open in Google Maps.
Magnitude:	MAG 5.4 Detected by 19 stations. Maximum Error Range ±0.071 .
Depth:	96 km (60 mi) An intermediate depth.
Max. Intensity:	V Moderate 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 630 thousand people exposed to shaking

The USGS has published a report estimating the number of people exposed to this earthquake. Acoording to their analysis, roughly 630 thousand 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 233,100 people are expected to be exposed to this level. Intensity level III was experienced by the majority of people (around 400 thousand). In their region, weak shaking and probably no damage can be expected.

People in 3 countries have been exposed to shaking. In Chile , around 600 thousand people, with impact levels up to IV (light shaking, likely no damage). A smaller number of people were exposed in the following countries: Bolivia and Argentina.

People	MMI Level	Shaking	Damage
0	I	Not noticable	None
2,790	II	Very weak	None
398,100	III	Weak	Probably none
233,100	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

This earthquake may have been felt in Chile . The closest significant population center near the earthquake is Calama in Antofagasta, Chile. Calama is located 138 kilometer (86 mi) north of the epicenter. The intensity of shaking and damage in Calama is estimated to be around level III on the Modified Mercalli Intensity scale (weak shaking, probably no damage).

Major cities near this earthquake: Iquique is located 160 km to the northwest and experienced an intensity of IV (light shaking, likely no damage). Calama is located 138 km to the south and experienced an intensity of III (weak shaking, probably no damage). Alto Hospicio is located 153 km to the northwest 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)
138 km (86 mi) S from epicenter	Calama Antofagasta, Chile.	III Weak
153 km (95 mi) NW from epicenter	Alto Hospicio Tarapacá, Chile.	III Weak
153 km (95 mi) NW from epicenter	La Tirana Tarapacá, Chile.	III Weak
153 km (95 mi) SW from epicenter	Tocopilla Antofagasta, Chile.	III Weak
156 km (97 mi) NW from epicenter	Playa Brava Tarapacá, Chile.	IV Light
158 km (98 mi) NW from epicenter	Goméz Carreño Tarapacá, Chile.	IV Light
158 km (98 mi) NW from epicenter	Caupolicán Tarapacá, Chile.	III Weak
158 km (98 mi) NW from epicenter	Cavancha Tarapacá, Chile.	IV Light
160 km (99 mi) NW from epicenter	Iquique Tarapacá, Chile.	IV Light

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

Earthquake Intensity Map based on Shakemap Data provided by USGS.

Shaking reported by 15 people

People that feel an earthquake may report their experience to the US Geographic Survey. Currently, 15 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:

Iquique, Tarapacá, Chile: 13 people.
Calama, Antofagasta, Chile: 2 people.

11 Aftershocks detected

Since this main shock, 11 smaller aftershocks were detected. A 3.7 magnitude earthquake hit 15 hrs later 57 km (35 mi) east-northeast of this earthquake.

This main shock was prefaced by 10 smaller foreshocks. A 3.1 magnitude earthquake hit 13 hrs 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 2.5	2 days earlier Dec 11, 2025 14:38 (Santiago Time)	93 km (58 mi) NNE from Main Shock.
Foreshock	M 2.9	2 days earlier Dec 11, 2025 16:45 (Santiago Time)	10 km (6 mi) NE from Main Shock.
Foreshock	M 2.6	2 days earlier Dec 11, 2025 20:39 (Santiago Time)	11 km (7 mi) NNE from Main Shock.
Foreshock	M 2.7	21 hrs earlier Dec 12, 2025 12:45 (Santiago Time)	71 km (44 mi) ESE from Main Shock.
Foreshock	M 2.8	19 hrs earlier Dec 12, 2025 14:30 (Santiago Time)	79 km (49 mi) SSE from Main Shock.
Foreshock	M 2.8	16 hrs earlier Dec 12, 2025 17:11 (Santiago Time)	99 km (61 mi) E from Main Shock.
Foreshock	M 2.5	14 hrs earlier Dec 12, 2025 19:01 (Santiago Time)	91 km (56 mi) SSE from Main Shock.
Foreshock	M 3.1	13 hrs earlier Dec 12, 2025 20:42 (Santiago Time)	71 km (44 mi) N from Main Shock.
Foreshock	M 2.5	7 hrs earlier Dec 13, 2025 02:17 (Santiago Time)	75 km (46 mi) ESE from Main Shock.
Foreshock	M 2.6	4 hrs earlier Dec 13, 2025 05:01 (Santiago Time)	62 km (38 mi) SE from Main Shock.
Main Shock This Earthquake	M 5.4	Dec 13, 2025 09:18 (Santiago Time)	-
Aftershock	M 2.6	22 mins later Dec 13, 2025 09:40 (Santiago Time)	42 km (26 mi) SE from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 2.6	38 mins later Dec 13, 2025 09:56 (Santiago Time)	1.2 km (0.7 mi) WSW from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 2.8	2 hrs later Dec 13, 2025 10:51 (Santiago Time)	5 km (3 mi) NNW from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 3.3	3 hrs later Dec 13, 2025 12:07 (Santiago Time)	75 km (46 mi) SE from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 2.6	5 hrs later Dec 13, 2025 14:47 (Santiago Time)	62 km (39 mi) ESE from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 2.6	13 hrs later Dec 13, 2025 21:52 (Santiago Time)	70 km (43 mi) ESE from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 3.7	15 hrs later Dec 14, 2025 00:34 (Santiago Time)	57 km (35 mi) ENE from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 2.9	15 hrs later Dec 14, 2025 00:35 (Santiago Time)	49 km (31 mi) NNW from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 3.1	17 hrs later Dec 14, 2025 02:25 (Santiago Time)	90 km (56 mi) WSW from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 3.4	1 day later Dec 14, 2025 13:40 (Santiago Time)	68 km (42 mi) SE from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 2.6	1 day later Dec 14, 2025 16:35 (Santiago Time)	22 km (14 mi) N from Main Shock.

More earthquakes coming?

The risk of aftershocks decreases rapidly over time. Usually, aftershocks are at least one order of magnitude lower than a main shock.

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 November 10th, 2025, when a 5.4 magnitude earthquake hit 286 km (178 mi) further south-southwest. An even stronger magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck on July 19th, 2024.

In total, 43 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 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.

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

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 5.4. Earthquakes of this strength are unlikely to trigger a tsunami.	This earthquake occurred at a depth of of 96 km (60 mi). Earthquakes this shallow could trigger a tsunami.

Sources

Last updated 14/12/25 23:28 (). 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.