Shallow M5.5 earthquake hits near Vallenar, Chile

A shallow M5.5 earthquake hit 128 km (80 miles) northwest of Vallenar, Chile, at 12:22 UTC on June 11, 2026. According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the event originated at a depth of 10.0 km (6.2 miles) at coordinates 27.8°S, 71.7°W.

The epicenter is located inland in northern Chile, within the Atacama Region. This area is characterized by its proximity to the Pacific coast and the Andes mountains, with Vallenar being the nearest significant population center.

Critical infrastructure in this region may include major highways connecting coastal and inland towns, mining facilities, as well as local utilities servicing small communities in the Atacama desert.

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

The maximum estimated intensity was IV, with a significance index of 465 (on a scale that runs through 1 000), reflecting a moderate potential for impact primarily due to magnitude and location.

Northern Chile is part of the seismically active South American margin, where the Nazca Plate subducts beneath the South American Plate. This region frequently experiences moderate to strong earthquakes due to active tectonic processes.

This information was last updated at 12:45 UTC on June 11, 2026.