Magnitude 5.3 Earthquake Strikes Northern Chile's Tarapacá Region

Moderate Earthquake Recorded in Tarapacá

A moderate earthquake with a magnitude of 5.3 struck the northern zone of Chile on Tuesday, January 13, 2026. The seismic event occurred at approximately 4:28 AM local time (GMT -3). Its epicenter was located southwest of Mina Collahuasi in the Tarapacá region, a key mining area in the country.

Epicenter and Depth Details

According to reports from the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) and the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ), the earthquake's depth was recorded at an intermediate range of approximately 118 to 120 kilometers. The National Seismological Center (CSN) of Chile also reported the event, placing the epicenter about 58 kilometers southwest of Mina Collahuasi. While primarily affecting the Tarapacá region, the tremor was also noted approximately 124 to 128 kilometers north of Calama, in the neighboring Antofagasta region.

Impact and Official Response

Due to its considerable depth, the earthquake is not anticipated to have caused significant damage to infrastructure or resulted in injuries, though it was likely felt as a light vibration by residents in the vicinity of the epicenter. Authorities, including the Hydrographic and Oceanographic Service of the Chilean Navy (SHOA), quickly assessed the situation and confirmed that the characteristics of this earthquake do not meet the conditions necessary to generate a tsunami on the Chilean coast.

Chile's Seismic Activity

Chile is situated on the seismically active Pacific Ring of Fire, a region known for frequent earthquakes and volcanic activity. This high level of seismic activity is a direct result of the Nazca Plate subducting beneath the South American Plate. The country experiences numerous earthquakes annually, with most being of low to moderate intensity. Seismologists continuously monitor the region for seismic events, providing timely updates to the public.