A 6.8 magnitude earthquake strikes northern Chile

Laura Gamba

May 26, 2026 • Updated: May 26, 2026

A powerful 6.8-magnitude earthquake struck the Antofagasta region in northern Chile on Monday afternoon.

The National Seismological Center at the University of Chile said the quake occurred at 5:52 pm local time (2152 GMT), and its epicenter was 12 kilometers (7.45 miles) south of the city of Calama, but authorities did not announce any initial deaths.

The Chilean Hydrographic and Oceanographic Service quickly confirmed that the characteristics of the earthquake did not meet the conditions required to cause a tsunami along the Chilean coast.

Chile is located along the Pacific Ring of Fire and experiences frequent seismic activity. This is primarily due to the ongoing collision between the Nazca and South American tectonic plates, which routinely generates tremors of varying intensity throughout the country.

Since 1570, Chile has been hit by nearly a hundred major earthquakes, about 30 of which exceeded magnitude 8.0. Data from the Department of Emergency and Disaster Risk Management indicates that a massive earthquake of magnitude 8.0 or higher hits the country on average once every decade.

Some of the most significant earthquakes in Chilean history include the 1960 Valdivia earthquake, the largest earthquake in recorded history, with an astonishing magnitude of 9.5. The powerful earthquake triggered a devastating tsunami with waves reaching 10 meters (33 feet) high, destroying much of the coastal infrastructure in southern Chile. The tsunami raced across the Pacific Ocean, hitting Japan with waves six meters high and causing massive damage and devastation thousands of miles away. While the exact death toll remains uncertain, official estimates put the death toll at more than 2,000 people.

Chile’s last major seismic disaster, widely known as “27F”, occurred in the early hours of February 27, 2010. The earthquake had a magnitude of 8.8, the second strongest in the country’s history. The epicenter of the earthquake was located off the coast of Muli district, surprising residents during the night. Less than an hour after the initial shaking, a devastating tsunami hit the coast, severely affecting the areas of Mule and Biobio. Although the tsunami reached Peru, Ecuador, Colombia and Costa Rica, it did not cause serious damage outside Chile. The disaster claimed more than 500 lives and left about 50 people missing.

The deadliest earthquake in Chilean history occurred on the night of January 24, 1939. The 8.3-magnitude quake was felt from Valparaiso to Temuco. Dubbed the “Chelan Earthquake” due to the almost complete destruction of the city, this event destroyed more than half of the Chilan buildings. In the immediate aftermath, vital infrastructure collapsed: electricity, telephone, and telegraph services were cut off, ground transportation ground to a halt, and the local railway station was completely leveled. The wreckage led to severe food and water shortages. The disaster remains Chile’s worst public tragedy, with the official death toll at 24,000 – although some estimates put the casualties at closer to 30,000, with only 5,685 victims officially identified.

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