Significant M5.6 Earthquake struck on Saturday Morning 177km from Salta in Argentina.

Written by Earthquakelist.org on March 21st, 2026. Last updated April 1st, 2026.

A significant MAG-5.6 earthquake struck under land 177 kilometer from Salta in Argentina in the morning of Saturday March 21st, 2026. Around 1.7 million people have been exposed to shaking. Bolivia and Chile are also near its epicenter.

Earthquake Summary

The earthquake struck on land in Argentina, 177 kilometer (110 mi) northwest of Salta. The center of this earthquake had an intermediate depth of 193 km.

Date and Time:	Mar 21, 2026 07:00 (Jujuy Time) - Mar 21, 2026 10:00 Universal Time.
Location:	177 km NW of Salta, Argentina. Coordinates 24°4'33"S 66°58'37"W.
Map:	Map of area around epicenter. Click to open in Google Maps.
Magnitude:	MAG 5.6 Detected by 27 stations. Maximum Error Range ±0.06 .
Depth:	193 km (120 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 90% likelyhood of between 0 and 1 fatalities.

The USGS classifies the economic impact of this earthquake at level GREEN (low). They expect an 90% likelyhood of between 0 and 1 million US Dollars in economic damage and impact.

Roughly 1.7 million people exposed to shaking

An estimated 1.7 million 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.

An estimated 1,227,000 people were exposed to level III. At this level, weak shaking and probably no damage can be expected.

People in 3 countries have been exposed to shaking. In Argentina , around 1.5 million people, with impact levels up to III (weak shaking, probably no damage). In Chile , around 200 thousand people. People were exposed to shaking in Bolivia as well.

People	MMI Level	Shaking	Damage
0	I	Not noticable	None
461,500	II	Very weak	None
1,227,000	III	Weak	Probably none
0	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

3 countries can be found within 300km of the epicenter of this earthquake: Argentina , Bolivia and Chile .

The closest significant population center near the earthquake is San Salvador de Jujuy in Jujuy, Argentina. San Salvador de Jujuy is located 171 kilometer (106 mi) west of the epicenter. The intensity of shaking and damage in San Salvador de Jujuy 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. Salta is located 177 km to the south-east and experienced an intensity of III (weak shaking, probably no damage). San Salvador de Jujuy is located 171 km to the east and experienced an intensity of III (weak shaking, probably no damage). Calama is located 268 km to the northwest and experienced an intensity of II (very weak shaking, 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

Cities and Towns around the epicenter of this earthquake.
Distance	Place	Intensity (MMI)
171 km (106 mi) E from epicenter	San Salvador de Jujuy Jujuy, Argentina.	III Weak
177 km (110 mi) SE from epicenter	Salta Salta, Argentina.	III Weak
180 km (112 mi) E from epicenter	Palpalá Jujuy, Argentina.	III Weak
215 km (134 mi) E from epicenter	San Pedro de Jujuy Jujuy, Argentina.
225 km (140 mi) E from epicenter	Libertador General San Martín Jujuy, Argentina.
263 km (163 mi) NE from epicenter	Villazón Potosí, Bolivia.
268 km (167 mi) NW from epicenter	Calama Antofagasta, Chile.	II Weak
290 km (180 mi) E from epicenter	San Ramón de la Nueva Orán Salta, Argentina.

Earthquake Intensity Map

The maximum intensity (MMI Scale) caused by this earthquake is III. 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 3 people

People that feel an earthquake may report their experience to the US Geographic Survey. Currently, 3 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:

Antofagasta, Antofagasta, Chile: 2 people.
Iquique, Tarapacá, Chile: 1 person.

13 Aftershocks detected

After this earthquake struck, 13 smaller aftershocks occurred. A 4.2 magnitude earthquake hit 1 day later 25 km (16 mi) west of this earthquake.

In the days before this main shock, 15 smaller foreshocks were detected. Roughly 21 hrs before this earthquake, a foreshock measuring MAG-4.4 was detected nearby this earthquake.

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 3.1	3 days earlier Mar 18, 2026 10:30 (Jujuy Time)	44 km (28 mi) NW from Main Shock.
Foreshock	M 3.6	3 days earlier Mar 18, 2026 18:34 (Jujuy Time)	27 km (17 mi) NW from Main Shock.
Foreshock	M 3.1	2 days earlier Mar 18, 2026 21:18 (Jujuy Time)	56 km (35 mi) W from Main Shock.
Foreshock	M 3.5	2 days earlier Mar 19, 2026 00:15 (Jujuy Time)	38 km (24 mi) NE from Main Shock.
Foreshock	M 3.0	2 days earlier Mar 19, 2026 05:09 (Jujuy Time)	45 km (28 mi) SW from Main Shock.
Foreshock	M 3.1	2 days earlier Mar 19, 2026 09:55 (Jujuy Time)	44 km (27 mi) W from Main Shock.
Foreshock	M 3.0	1 day earlier Mar 19, 2026 22:26 (Jujuy Time)	33 km (20 mi) W from Main Shock.
Foreshock	M 3.4	1 day earlier Mar 19, 2026 22:42 (Jujuy Time)	59 km (37 mi) NW from Main Shock.
Foreshock	M 3.0	1 day earlier Mar 20, 2026 00:44 (Jujuy Time)	87 km (54 mi) W from Main Shock.
Foreshock	M 3.2	1 day earlier Mar 20, 2026 01:32 (Jujuy Time)	37 km (23 mi) NW from Main Shock.
Foreshock	M 3.0	1 day earlier Mar 20, 2026 03:40 (Jujuy Time)	41 km (25 mi) W from Main Shock.
Foreshock	M 4.4	21 hrs earlier Mar 20, 2026 10:13 (Jujuy Time)	50 km (31 mi) S from Main Shock.
Foreshock	M 3.3	17 hrs earlier Mar 20, 2026 13:45 (Jujuy Time)	33 km (21 mi) S from Main Shock.
Foreshock	M 3.5	14 hrs earlier Mar 20, 2026 17:01 (Jujuy Time)	48 km (30 mi) SW from Main Shock.
Foreshock	M 2.6	51 mins earlier Mar 21, 2026 06:09 (Jujuy Time)	22 km (13 mi) W from Main Shock.
Main Shock This Earthquake	M 5.6	Mar 21, 2026 07:00 (Jujuy Time)	-
Aftershock	M 3.8	3 hrs later Mar 21, 2026 10:23 (Jujuy Time)	43 km (27 mi) NW from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 3.0	14 hrs later Mar 21, 2026 21:20 (Jujuy Time)	43 km (27 mi) W from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 2.9	16 hrs later Mar 21, 2026 22:50 (Jujuy Time)	87 km (54 mi) W from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 3.4	22 hrs later Mar 22, 2026 05:00 (Jujuy Time)	40 km (25 mi) W from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 3.4	1 day later Mar 22, 2026 07:12 (Jujuy Time)	35 km (22 mi) N from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 3.5	1 day later Mar 22, 2026 10:33 (Jujuy Time)	18 km (11 mi) NW from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 3.1	1 day later Mar 22, 2026 16:45 (Jujuy Time)	23 km (15 mi) SW from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 4.2	1 day later Mar 22, 2026 17:19 (Jujuy Time)	25 km (16 mi) W from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 3.3	2 days later Mar 23, 2026 07:21 (Jujuy Time)	72 km (44 mi) W from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 3.7	2 days later Mar 23, 2026 07:24 (Jujuy Time)	42 km (26 mi) NW from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 3.7	2 days later Mar 23, 2026 09:42 (Jujuy Time)	51 km (31 mi) NW from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 3.1	2 days later Mar 23, 2026 11:16 (Jujuy Time)	60 km (37 mi) W from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 3.3	3 days later Mar 24, 2026 01:40 (Jujuy Time)	40 km (25 mi) N from Main Shock.

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.

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 September 4th, 2025, when a 5.9 magnitude earthquake hit 19 km (12 mi) further west. An even stronger magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck on July 19th, 2024.

In total, 22 earthquakes with a magnitude of 5.6 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 6 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.

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

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 5.6. Earthquakes of this strength are unlikely to trigger a tsunami.	Not this earthquake. This earthquake occurred at a depth of 193 km (120 mi). Earthquakes this deep in the earth are unlikely to trigger a tsunami.

Sources

Last updated 01/04/26 10:48 (). 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.