Shallow M5.6 earthquake hits Ovalle, Chile

A shallow M5.6 earthquake was recorded at 11:43 UTC on October 15, 2025, about 36 km (22 miles) west-southwest of Ovalle, Chile. The event occurred at a depth of 32.1 km (20 miles) and was centered at coordinates 30.7°S, 71.6°W, according to the USGS.

The earthquake’s location places it inland, in the vicinity of Ovalle, a city in the Coquimbo Region of northern Chile. The broader area is characterized by small towns and rural communities, with Ovalle being one of the more prominent population centers nearby.

Major infrastructure in the region may include regional roadways, local highways, and electrical transmission lines that serve the city of Ovalle and its neighboring areas. The area also includes agricultural facilities typical of northern Chile.

There is no tsunami threat associated with this earthquake, based on its location and available data.

The USGS assigned a significance index of 482 (on a scale that runs through 1 000), based on magnitude and estimated impact.

The region around Ovalle, Chile, is seismically active due to the subduction of the Nazca Plate beneath the South American Plate. Northern Chile frequently experiences moderate to strong earthquakes as part of this tectonic interaction.

This information was last updated at 12:00 UTC on October 15, 2025.