In the early afternoon of Friday September 18th, 2026, a Magnitude 4.8 earthquake hit under land 34 kilometer from Santiago in Chile. The earthquake struck near a very densely populated region. Another nearby country is Argentina.
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Earthquake Summary
The earthquake struck on land in Chile, 34 kilometer (21 mi) north-east of Santiago in Santiago Metropolitan. The center of this earthquake had an intermediate depth of 100 km.
| Date and Time: | Sep 18, 2026 13:52 (Santiago Time) - Sep 18, 2026 16:52 Universal Time. |
|---|---|
| Location: | 34 km NE of Santiago, Santiago Metropolitan, Chile. Coordinates 33°19'19"S 70°19'2"W. |
| Map: |  Map of area around epicenter. Click to open in Google Maps. |
| Magnitude: | MAG 4.8 Detected by 21 stations. Maximum Error Range ±0.068 . |
| Depth: | 100 km (62 mi) An intermediate depth. |
| 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. |
Nearby towns and cities
This earthquake struck within proximity of multiple countries. Chile and Argentina are both within 300km distance of its epicenter.
Chicureo Abajo in Santiago Metropolitan, Chile is the nearest significant place from the epicenter. The earthquake occurred 32 kilometer (20 mi) east of Chicureo Abajo.
Multiple major population centers exist within 300km of the earthquake that struck today. Santiago is located 34 km to the southwest. Puente Alto is located 40 km to the southwest. Mendoza is located 147 km to the east.
The table below provides an overview of all places in proximity of today's earthquake.
Overview of nearby places
| Distance | Place |
|---|---|
| 32 km (20 mi) W from epicenter |
Chicureo Abajo Santiago Metropolitan, Chile. |
| 34 km (21 mi) SW from epicenter |
Santiago Santiago Metropolitan, Chile. |
| 40 km (25 mi) W from epicenter |
Lo Prado Santiago Metropolitan, Chile. |
| 40 km (25 mi) SW from epicenter |
Puente Alto Santiago Metropolitan, Chile. |
| 41 km (25 mi) SW from epicenter |
La Pintana Santiago Metropolitan, Chile. |
| 46 km (29 mi) SW from epicenter |
San Bernardo Santiago Metropolitan, Chile. |
| 52 km (32 mi) W from epicenter |
Lampa Santiago Metropolitan, Chile. |
| 60 km (37 mi) NW from epicenter |
Los Andes Valparaíso, Chile. |
| 60 km (37 mi) SW from epicenter |
Buin Santiago Metropolitan, Chile. |
| 61 km (38 mi) SW from epicenter |
Peñaflor Santiago Metropolitan, Chile. |
| 67 km (42 mi) SW from epicenter |
Paine Santiago Metropolitan, Chile. |
| 68 km (42 mi) SW from epicenter |
Talagante Santiago Metropolitan, Chile. |
| 74 km (46 mi) SW from epicenter |
El Monte Santiago Metropolitan, Chile. |
| 74 km (46 mi) NW from epicenter |
San Felipe Valparaíso, Chile. |
| 80 km (50 mi) NW from epicenter |
Llaillay Valparaíso, Chile. |
| 91 km (57 mi) SW from epicenter |
Graneros O'Higgins Region, Chile. |
| 93 km (58 mi) SW from epicenter |
Melipilla Santiago Metropolitan, Chile. |
| 95 km (59 mi) W from epicenter |
Limache Valparaíso, Chile. |
| 100 km (62 mi) NW from epicenter |
Quillota Valparaíso, Chile. |
| 100 km (62 mi) S from epicenter |
Machalí O'Higgins Region, Chile. |
| 102 km (63 mi) S from epicenter |
Rancagua O'Higgins Region, Chile. |
| 103 km (64 mi) NW from epicenter |
Hacienda La Calera Valparaíso, Chile. |
| 103 km (64 mi) W from epicenter |
Villa Alemana Valparaíso, Chile. |
| 109 km (68 mi) W from epicenter |
Quilpué Valparaíso, Chile. |
| 120 km (75 mi) W from epicenter |
Viña del Mar Valparaíso, Chile. |
| 122 km (76 mi) W from epicenter |
Cartagena Valparaíso, Chile. |
| 123 km (76 mi) W from epicenter |
San Antonio Valparaíso, Chile. |
| 126 km (78 mi) W from epicenter |
Valparaíso Valparaíso, Chile. |
| 129 km (80 mi) NW from epicenter |
La Ligua Valparaíso, Chile. |
| 131 km (81 mi) S from epicenter |
Rengo O'Higgins Region, Chile. |
| 142 km (88 mi) SW from epicenter |
San Vicente O'Higgins Region, Chile. |
| 143 km (89 mi) SW from epicenter |
San Vicente de Tagua Tagua O'Higgins Region, Chile. |
| 147 km (91 mi) E from epicenter |
Mendoza Mendoza, Argentina. |
| 168 km (104 mi) SW from epicenter |
Chimbarongo O'Higgins Region, Chile. |
| 174 km (108 mi) E from epicenter |
San Martín Mendoza, Argentina. |
| 175 km (109 mi) SW from epicenter |
Santa Cruz O'Higgins Region, Chile. |
| 203 km (126 mi) SW from epicenter |
Curicó Maule Region, Chile. |
| 204 km (127 mi) NW from epicenter |
Illapel Coquimbo Region, Chile. |
| 218 km (135 mi) SW from epicenter |
Molina Maule Region, Chile. |
| 233 km (145 mi) SE from epicenter |
San Rafael Mendoza, Argentina. |
| 244 km (152 mi) NE from epicenter |
Pocito San Juan, Argentina. |
| 259 km (161 mi) NE from epicenter |
San Juan San Juan, Argentina. |
| 262 km (163 mi) NE from epicenter |
Santa Lucía San Juan, Argentina. |
| 263 km (163 mi) NE from epicenter |
Villa Paula de Sarmiento San Juan, Argentina. |
| 264 km (164 mi) SW from epicenter |
Talca Maule Region, Chile. |
| 264 km (164 mi) NE from epicenter |
Chimbas San Juan, Argentina. |
| 266 km (165 mi) NE from epicenter |
Caucete San Juan, Argentina. |
| 269 km (167 mi) NE from epicenter |
Albardón San Juan, Argentina. |
| 284 km (176 mi) SW from epicenter |
San Javier Maule Region, Chile. |
| 295 km (183 mi) SW from epicenter |
Constitución Maule Region, Chile. |
Shaking reported by 34 people
People that feel an earthquake may report their experience to the US Geographic Survey. Currently, 34 people have reported shaking in 5 places, all within 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:
- Santiago, Metropolitana, Chile: 27 people.
- San Bernardo, Metropolitana, Chile: 3 people.
- Puente Alto, Metropolitana, Chile: 2 people.
- Quilpué, Valparaíso, Chile: 1 person.
- Calera, Valparaíso, Chile: 1 person.
Aftershocks detected
This main shock was followed by 1 smaller aftershock. A 3.2 magnitude earthquake hit 3 days later 87 km (54 mi) south of this earthquake.
This main shock was prefaced by 1 smaller foreshock. Roughly 1 day before this earthquake, a foreshock measuring MAG-2.5 was detected nearby this earthquake.
Overview of foreshocks and aftershocks
| Classification | Magnitude | When | Where |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foreshock | M 2.5 |
1 day earlier Sep 17, 2026 13:17 (Santiago Time) | 71 km (44 mi) N from Main Shock. |
| Main Shock This Earthquake |
M 4.8 |
Sep 18, 2026 13:52 (Santiago Time) | - |
| Aftershock | M 3.2 |
3 days later Sep 21, 2026 12:48 (Santiago Time) | 87 km (54 mi) S 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.
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.
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 3rd, 2026, when a 4.8 magnitude earthquake hit 182 km (113 mi) further northwest. An even stronger magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck on April 24th, 2017.
In total, 176 earthquakes with a magnitude of 4.8 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 21 days.
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
| 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 4.8. Earthquakes of this strength are unlikely to trigger a tsunami. |
Not this earthquake. This earthquake occurred at a depth of 100 km (62 mi). Earthquakes this deep in the earth are unlikely to trigger a tsunami. |
Sources
Last updated 10/10/26 02:08 (). 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.
- US Geographic Society (USGS): Earthquake us7000tid4
- European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC): Earthquake 20260918_0000258
- Geonames.org: World Cities Database
- Google Maps: Static API
- Earthquakelist.org: Historic Earthquakes Database
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