Strong M6.0 earthquake strikes near Picota, Peru on April 1, 2026

A strong M6.0 earthquake was recorded at 11:20 UTC on April 1, 2026, approximately 27 km (17 miles) east-southeast of Picota, Peru. According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the event originated at a depth of 108.8 km (67.6 miles).

The coordinates place the epicenter at 7.1°S, 76.1°W, in the San Martín region of northern Peru. This area is largely inland with a mix of rural communities, farmlands, and nearby population centers such as Picota.

The region around Picota is crossed by several highways and secondary roads. Critical infrastructure in this part of Peru may include small regional airports, local transportation routes, and energy distribution facilities serving the surrounding towns and agricultural zones.

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

The significance index is 554 (on a scale that runs through 1 000), which reflects the event’s magnitude and its estimated impact.

Northern Peru lies within a seismically active zone associated with the subduction of the Nazca Plate beneath the South American Plate, resulting in moderate to strong earthquakes of intermediate depth such as this event.

This information was last updated at 11:34 UTC on April 1, 2026.