Shallow M6.3 Earthquake hit in the South Pacific Ocean near Vallenar (Chile) on Friday Morning.

Written by Earthquakelist.org on March 13th, 2026. Last updated April 1st, 2026.

In the South Pacific Ocean 86 kilometer from Vallenar, Chile, a shallow and strong MAG-6.3 earthquake occurred in the morning of Friday March 13th, 2026. Shaking may have been felt by a total of 0.8 million people. Argentina is also near its epicenter.

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Earthquake Summary

This earthquake hit under water in the South Pacific Ocean, 25 kilometers (15 mi) off the coast of Chile, 86 kilometer west of Vallenar in Atacama. The center of this earthquake had a very shallow depth of 10 km. Shallow earthquakes usually have a larger impact than earthquakes deep in the earth.

Date and Time:	Mar 13, 2026 10:39 (Santiago Time) - Mar 13, 2026 13:39 Universal Time.
Location:	86 km west of Vallenar, Atacama, Chile. Coordinates 28°41'2"S 71°37'37"W.
Map:	Map of area around epicenter. Click to open in Google Maps.
Magnitude:	MAG 6.3 Detected by 44 stations. Maximum Error Range ±0.047 .
Depth:	10 km (6 mi) A very shallow depth.
Max. Intensity:	VI Strong On the Modified Mercalli Scale.
Tsunami Risk:	Low tsunami risk Earthquakes under MAG-6.5 do not usually 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 68% likelyhood of between 0 and 1 million US Dollars in economic damage and impact, and a 98% chance that the economic impact of this earthquake falls no higher than 10 million USD.

Roughly 0.8 million people exposed to shaking

This earthquake may have been felt by around 0.8 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.

Strong shaking and probably light damage may have been experienced by an estimated 610 people. At VI, it is the highest MMI level this earthquake has caused. Intensity level IV was experienced by the majority of people (around 660 thousand). In their region, light shaking and likely no damage can be expected.

People in 2 countries have been exposed to shaking. In Chile , around 0.8 million people, with impact levels up to VI (strong shaking, probably light damage). Shaking was experienced by inhabitants of Argentina too.

Nearby towns and cities

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

Located 86 kilometer (53 mi) west of the epicenter of this earthquake, Vallenar (Atacama, Chile) is the nearest significant population center. Vallenar experienced an earthquake intensity (MMI Scale) of roughly IV. That level implies light shaking and likely no damage.

Multiple major population centers exist within 300km of the earthquake that struck today. Coquimbo is located 144 km to the south and experienced an intensity of IV (light shaking, likely no damage). La Serena is located 141 km to the south and experienced an intensity of IV (light shaking, likely no damage). Copiapó is located 194 km to the north-east and experienced an intensity of IV (light shaking, likely 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 maximum intensity (MMI Scale) caused by this earthquake is VI. 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 33 people in 2 countries

People that feel an earthquake may report their experience to the US Geographic Survey. Currently, 33 people have reported shaking in 11 places in 2 countries (Chile, Argentina).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.
• La Serena, Coquimbo, Chile: 7 people.
• Vallenar, Atacama, Chile: 5 people.
• Coquimbo, Coquimbo, Chile: 3 people.
• Viña del Mar, Valparaíso, Chile: 2 people.
• Lampa, Metropolitana, Chile: 2 people.
• Mendoza, Mendoza, Argentina: 2 people.
• La Rioja, La Rioja, Argentina: 1 person.
• Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile: 1 person.
• San Juan, San Juan, Argentina: 1 person.

65 Aftershocks detected

After this earthquake struck, 65 smaller aftershocks occurred. At a distance of 21 km (13 mi) east of this earthquake, an aftershock struck 3 days later. It measured a magnitude of 4

This main shock was prefaced by 3 smaller foreshocks. A 4.2 magnitude earthquake hit 3 days earlier nearby.

Overview of foreshocks and aftershocks

More earthquakes coming?

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 are common in the region

Earthquakes of this strength occur quite regularly in the region. This is the strongest earthquake to hit since June 6th, 2025, when a 6.4 magnitude earthquake hit 257 km (160 mi) further north-east. An even stronger magnitude 6.8 earthquake struck on September 1st, 2020.

In total, 11 earthquakes with a magnitude of 6.3 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.

Low tsunami risk

Based on early data it appears this earthquake was not strong enough (lower than MAG-6.5) to be likely to cause destructive tsunami's. However this earthquake appeared to have hit at a shallow depth under sea, so stay cautious and monitor advice from local authorities.

Tsunami Risk Factors

Sources

Last updated 01/04/26 01:48 (). 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.

1. US Geographic Society (USGS): Earthquake us6000sg0y
2. European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC): Earthquake 20260313_0000254
3. Geonames.org: World Cities Database
4. Google Maps: Static API
5. Earthquakelist.org: Historic Earthquakes Database

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