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Earthquake in Peru today
Was there an earthquake in Peru today? Check reported USGS epicentres, times, magnitudes and depths, or choose a longer period.
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Latest earthquakes
UpdatedUpdates every minute while this page is visible
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This describes the available catalogue, not an all-clear. Try a longer period or check the latest known event below.
The last 30 days
- Latest recorded earthquake
- No records in 30 days
- Strongest in 30 days
- No records in 30 days
- Earthquakes in the catalogue
- 0USGS
- Magnitude 4.5 or larger
- 0M ≥ 4.5
Data from USGS, updated automatically. This is not a warning; official alerts come from national authorities. Times are shown in Peru time (UTC−5).
Where earthquakes happen in Peru
The coast: a subduction zone
Offshore, the Nazca Plate sinks beneath the South American Plate. This produces Peru’s largest earthquakes, such as Arequipa 2001 (M8.4) and Pisco 2007 (M8.0), and the tsunami hazard along the coast, including Lima and Callao.
The Andes: faults and intermediate-depth earthquakes
Beneath the highlands the sinking plate causes earthquakes 70–300 km deep, and active faults cut the surface. The 1950 Cusco earthquake damaged much of the city that most visitors pass through on the way to Machu Picchu.
The Amazon: deep earthquakes
Under Loreto and Ucayali the plate lies more than 100 km down. The 2019 Loreto earthquake (M8.0, 123 km) and the 2015 Ucayali earthquake (M7.6, 621 km) happened here. Deep events are felt over huge areas but shake the surface less than a shallow earthquake of the same size.
Major earthquakes
The largest earthquakes recorded in Peru since 1900, according to the USGS:
- 8.4Mww
Atico (Arequipa)
- Depth 33 km
- 8.2Mw
Huacho (Lima)
- Depth 45 km
- 8.1Mw
Marcona (Ica)
- Depth 30 km
If you are in Peru during an earthquake
Peru uses UTC−5 all year, with no daylight saving time. The official report comes from the Geophysical Institute of Peru (IGP) and may give a slightly different magnitude from the USGS figure shown here.
On the coast, strong or long shaking is itself the warning: move inland or uphill straight away. Official tsunami alerts are issued by the Peruvian Navy’s Directorate of Hydrography and Navigation.
Hotels and public buildings in Peru mark safe zones (zona segura) and evacuation routes; take a minute to find them when you arrive.
Frequently asked questions
When was the last earthquake in Peru?
The first panel on this page shows the latest earthquake in the catalogue with its local time. The IGP publishes the official report.
Is it safe to travel to Peru because of earthquakes?
Earthquakes cannot be predicted, and small ones are frequent. Knowing the safe zones where you stay and following local authorities is the practical precaution.
Why do the IGP and USGS give different magnitudes?
They use different station networks and methods, and early figures are revised. Differences of a few tenths are normal.
Latest known event
Latest known event · America/Lima
Sources and coverage
Source: USGS · GeoNames · CC BY 4.0 · Natural Earth
The location is the reported epicentre. Offshore context is separate from a position inside a country. Small-event coverage varies by region.
Historical context
The historical catalogue includes USGS M6+ from 1900, M4.5+ from 1970 and delivered events since the project began. It is not a complete record of all small earthquakes.
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