Shallow M6.0 Earthquake struck on Sunday Afternoon in the South Pacific Ocean near Valparaíso (Chile).

Written by Earthquakelist.org on May 31st, 2026. Last updated June 1st, 2026.

In the late afternoon of Sunday May 31st, 2026, a shallow and strong MAG-6.0 earthquake hit in the South Pacific Ocean 33 kilometer from Valparaíso, Chile. Around 11 million people have been exposed to shaking. Argentina is also near its epicenter.

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Earthquake Summary

This earthquake hit under water in the South Pacific Ocean, 34 kilometers (21 mi) off the coast of Chile, 33 kilometer northwest of Valparaíso. The center of this earthquake had a very shallow depth of 25 km. Shallow earthquakes usually have a larger impact than earthquakes deep in the earth.

Date and Time:	May 31, 2026 17:34 (Santiago Time) - May 31, 2026 21:34 Universal Time.
Location:	33 km NW of Valparaíso, Chile. Coordinates 32°48'17"S 71°51'33"W.
Map:	Map of area around epicenter. Click to open in Google Maps.
Magnitude:	MAG 6.0 Detected by 44 stations. Maximum Error Range ±0.047 .
Depth:	25 km (16 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 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 11 million people exposed to shaking

This earthquake may have been felt by around 11 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.

An estimated 122,100 people were exposed to level V. At this level, moderate shaking and very light damage can be expected. Intensity level IV was experienced by the majority of people (around 9 million). In their region, light shaking and likely no damage can be expected.

People in 2 countries have been exposed to shaking. In Chile , around 11 million people, with impact levels up to V (moderate shaking, very light damage). Shaking was experienced by inhabitants of Argentina too.

Nearby towns and cities

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

Located 33 kilometer (21 mi) northwest of the epicenter of this earthquake, Valparaíso (Valparaíso, Chile) is the nearest significant population center. The intensity of shaking and damage in Valparaíso is estimated to be around level IV on the Modified Mercalli Intensity scale (light shaking, likely no damage).

Major cities near this earthquake: Santiago is located 134 km to the south-east and experienced an intensity of IV (light shaking, likely no damage). Valparaíso is located 33 km to the south-east and experienced an intensity of IV (light shaking, likely no damage). Viña del Mar is located 38 km to the south-east and experienced an intensity of V (moderate shaking, very light 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 137 people in 2 countries

People that feel an earthquake may report their experience to the US Geographic Survey. Currently, 137 people have reported shaking in 20 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: 68 people.
• Viña del Mar, Valparaíso, Chile: 23 people.
• Villa Alemana, Valparaíso, Chile: 7 people.
• Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile: 5 people.
• Quillota, Valparaíso, Chile: 4 people.
• Lampa, Metropolitana, Chile: 4 people.
• Quilpué, Valparaíso, Chile: 4 people.
• Puente Alto, Metropolitana, Chile: 3 people.
• Mendoza, Mendoza, Argentina: 3 people.
• Calera, Valparaíso, Chile: 3 people.

18 Aftershocks detected

This main shock was followed by 18 smaller aftershocks. A 4.9 magnitude earthquake hit 13 mins later 10 km (6 mi) north of this earthquake.

Before this earthquake struck, 7 smaller foreshocks occurred. A 4 magnitude earthquake hit 19 hrs earlier nearby.

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.

In only six percent of cases, significant earthquakes are followed by a larger main shock, making the current earthquake a foreshock. While the chance of this happening is not so large, it is adviced to maintain cautiousness in the hours and days following a major 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 February 12th, 2026, when a 6.1 magnitude earthquake hit 230 km (143 mi) further north. An even stronger magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck on April 24th, 2017.

In total, 12 earthquakes with a magnitude of 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 10 months.

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 01/06/26 01:38 (). 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 us7000spqc
2. European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC): Earthquake 20260531_0000345
3. Geonames.org: World Cities Database
4. Google Maps: Static API
5. Earthquakelist.org: Historic Earthquakes Database

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