Significant M5.3 Earthquake struck on Friday Afternoon 151km from Salta in Argentina.

Written by Earthquakelist.org on July 24th, 2026. Last updated July 25th, 2026.

Under land 151 kilometer from Salta in Argentina, a significant M5.3 earthquake occurred in the late afternoon of Friday July 24th, 2026. Around 1.7 million people have been exposed to shaking. Bolivia and Chile are also near its epicenter.

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Earthquake Summary

The earthquake struck on land in Argentina, 151 kilometer (94 mi) northwest of Salta. The center of this earthquake had an intermediate depth of 194 km.

Date and Time:	Jul 24, 2026 16:38 (Jujuy Time) - Jul 24, 2026 19:38 Universal Time.
Location:	151 km NW of Salta, Argentina. Coordinates 23°58'32"S 66°36'26"W.
Map:	Map of area around epicenter. Click to open in Google Maps.
Magnitude:	MAG 5.3 Detected by 47 stations. Maximum Error Range ±0.045 .
Depth:	194 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

The USGS has published a report estimating the number of people exposed to this earthquake. Acoording to their analysis, roughly 1.7 million have been exposed to shaking at an MMI level of II or higher.

An estimated 1,626,000 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. Roughly 1.7 million people were exposed to shaking in Argentina , with level III (weak shaking, probably no damage) as the highest recorded. A smaller number of people were exposed in the following countries: Chile and Bolivia.

Nearby towns and cities

Argentina , Bolivia and Chile are all located within 300km distance of the epicenter of the earthquake.

San Salvador de Jujuy in Jujuy, Argentina is the nearest significant place from the epicenter. The earthquake occurred 135 kilometer (84 mi) west of San Salvador de Jujuy. 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 151 km to the south-east and experienced an intensity of III (weak shaking, probably no damage). San Salvador de Jujuy is located 135 km to the east and experienced an intensity of III (weak shaking, probably no damage). Calama is located 291 km to the northwest (intensity unknown, possibly low).

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 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

Aftershocks detected

Since this main shock, 1 smaller aftershock was detected. At a distance of 59 km (36 mi) southwest of this earthquake, an aftershock struck 3 hrs later. It measured a magnitude of 2.7

This main shock was prefaced by 13 smaller foreshocks. A 3.6 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.

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 happen often in the region

Earthquakes of this strength are very common in the region. This is the strongest earthquake to hit since May 25th, 2026, when a 6.9 magnitude earthquake hit 271 km (169 mi) further northwest. An even stronger magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck on July 19th, 2024.

In total, 57 earthquakes with a magnitude of 5.3 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 2 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 25/07/26 00:08 (). 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 us7000t36n
2. European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC): Earthquake 20260724_0000305
3. Geonames.org: World Cities Database
4. Google Maps: Static API
5. Earthquakelist.org: Historic Earthquakes Database

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