On 13/03/2026 13:39 UTC a magnitude 6.2 earthquake was recorded near W of Vallenar, Chile, along the Pacific Ring of Fire. Hypocentre depth: 24 km. Coordinates: -28.693°, -71.479°.
Event technical data
| Magnitude | M 6.2 |
| Depth | 24 km |
| Coordinates | -28.6929°, -71.4786° |
| Time (UTC) | 2026-03-13 13:39 UTC |
| Location | 71 km W of Vallenar, Chile |
| Ring of Fire region | 🇨🇱🇵🇪 South America Pacific |
Tectonic context
Technical analysis: Shallow crustal event (overriding plate). Subduction of the Nazca plate beneath South America — the most seismically active zone on Earth (origin of the M9.5 1960 Valdivia megathrust).
Why it matters for geotechnical engineering in Chile
Chile lies on the same Pacific Ring of Fire. Major earthquakes in Japan (Tohoku 2011), Sumatra 2004, Cascadia (projected) and other segments share similar tectonic mechanics: subduction of an oceanic plate beneath a continental plate, P/S waves travelling thousands of kilometres, and tsunamigenic potential for shallow (<70 km) coastal events.
For local geotechnical design, monitoring global Ring-of-Fire events supports: (1) calibration of seismic attenuation models, (2) liquefaction lessons in comparable saturated sands, (3) international post-seismic construction experience, and (4) site-specific seismic hazard assessment.
Official sources
USGS Earthquake Hazards: global-coverage international source. View USGS event →
EMSC: European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre, global coverage. EMSC portal →
Geotechnical engineering in Standard Penetration Test — professional services
Seismic site studies, liquefaction assessment and foundation design for buildings, infrastructure and mining.
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