M 5.6 Moderate Earthquake Strikes Near San Antonio de los Cobres, Argentina

What Happened

A moderate magnitude 5.6 (mww) earthquake occurred near San Antonio de los Cobres, Argentina, on Monday, March 16, 2026, at 10:00:37 UTC (07:00:37 local time). The seismic event was recorded at a depth of 192.6 kilometers.

Location Details

The earthquake’s epicenter was located approximately 68 km west-northwest of San Antonio de los Cobres, Argentina, with coordinates of 24.0759°S and 66.977°W. At a depth of 192.6 km, this is classified as a deep earthquake. Deep earthquakes (those occurring at depths greater than 70 km) typically cause less intense shaking at the surface than shallower events of the same magnitude.

Impact Assessment

The USGS has issued a “green” alert level for this event, indicating a low likelihood of casualties or significant economic damage. There has been 1 felt report recorded by the USGS at the time of this report. No tsunami advisory, watch, or warning has been issued.

What You Should Know

Moderate earthquakes are routine geological events in this region. While the significant depth of this earthquake likely mitigated surface impact, residents should be aware of the potential for aftershocks. In the event of further shaking, safety officials recommend that you “Drop, Cover, and Hold On.”

Source

Data and attribution provided by the USGS Earthquake Hazards Program.