Significant M5.5 Earthquake hit 189km from La Peca in Peru on Thursday Night.

Written by Earthquakelist.org on January 8th, 2026. Last updated January 9th, 2026.

A significant M5.5 earthquake struck under land 189 kilometer from La Peca in Peru just after midnight of Thursday January 8th, 2026. Shaking may have been felt by a total of 3 million people. Another nearby country is Ecuador.

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Earthquake Summary

The earthquake struck on land in Peru, 189 kilometer (117 mi) north-northeast of La Peca in Amazonas. The center of this earthquake had an intermediate depth of 108 km.

Date and Time:	Jan 8, 2026 00:17 (Guayaquil Time) - Jan 8, 2026 05:17 Universal Time.
Location:	180 km SE of Cuenca, Azuay, Ecuador. Coordinates 4°0'55"S 77°50'5"W.
Map:	Map of area around epicenter. Click to open in Google Maps.
Magnitude:	MAG 5.5 Detected by 35 stations. Maximum Error Range ±0.052 .
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 3 million people exposed to shaking

This earthquake may have been felt by around 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.

Light shaking and likely no damage may have been experienced by an estimated 104,100 people. At IV, it is the highest MMI level this earthquake has caused. Intensity level III was experienced by the majority of people (around 2.7 million). In their region, weak shaking and probably no damage can be expected.

People in 2 countries have been exposed to shaking. In Ecuador , around 2.2 million people, with impact levels up to IV (light shaking, likely no damage). In Peru , around 0.8 million people.

Nearby towns and cities

2 countries can be found within 300km of the epicenter of this earthquake: Ecuador and Peru .

Located 124 kilometer (77 mi) east of the epicenter of this earthquake, Zamora (Zamora-Chinchipe, Ecuador) is the nearest significant population center. The intensity of shaking and damage in Zamora is estimated to be around level III on the Modified Mercalli Intensity scale (weak shaking, probably no damage).

Multiple major population centers exist within 300km of the earthquake that struck today. Cuenca is located 180 km to the northwest and experienced an intensity of III (weak shaking, probably no damage). Machala is located 250 km to the west-northwest (intensity unknown, possibly low). Loja is located 152 km to the west 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

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.

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 15 people in 2 countries

People that feel an earthquake may report their experience to the US Geographic Survey. Currently, 15 people have reported shaking in 11 places in 2 countries (Peru, Ecuador).We keep updating this article as more ground reports become available. You may report that you felt this earthquake here.

Places with most reports:

• Loja, Loja, Ecuador: 3 people.
• Gualaquiza, Morona Santiago, Ecuador: 2 people.
• Santa Rosa, Lambayeque, Peru: 2 people.
• San Ignacio, Cajamarca, Peru: 1 person.
• Yantzaza, Zamora Chinchipe, Ecuador: 1 person.
• Piura, Piura, Peru: 1 person.
• Cariamanga, Loja, Ecuador: 1 person.
• Cuenca, Azuay, Ecuador: 1 person.
• Quito, Pichincha, Ecuador: 1 person.
• Alausí, Chimborazo, Ecuador: 1 person.

Aftershocks detected

This main shock was prefaced by 1 smaller foreshock. Nearby this earthquake a foreshock struck 2 days earlier. It measured a magnitude of 3.2

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 happen often in the region

Earthquakes of this strength are very common in the region. This is the strongest earthquake to hit since October 22nd, 2025, when a 5.5 magnitude earthquake hit 227 km (141 mi) further west. An even stronger magnitude 7.5 earthquake struck on November 28th, 2021.

In total, 15 earthquakes with a magnitude of 5.5 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 8 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 09/01/26 03:38 (). 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 us7000rndf
2. European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC): Earthquake 20260108_0000076
3. Geonames.org: World Cities Database
4. Google Maps: Static API
5. Earthquakelist.org: Historic Earthquakes Database

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