Country profile · USGS ComCat

Earthquakes in Argentina

Argentina ranks 18th of 215 countries by catalogued seismic activity - a highly seismically active country. Below: the full M6+ event history, magnitude and depth profile, and yearly trend, straight from USGS data.

Compiled by PlainQuake Editorial, Earthquake Data Editorial Team

4,371
M4+ events (since 2005): 116
Major M6+ (since 1900): M7.7
Strongest: ~208
M4+ per year

The verdict

Argentina has logged 4,371 M4+ earthquakes since 2005 and 116 major M6+ events since 1900, the strongest reaching magnitude 7.7.

#18
of 215 countries by M4+ activity: 4,371
catalogued M4+ events (2005–present): M7.7
strongest earthquake on record: 116
major M6+ events since 1900

Average catalogued magnitude is 4.4 - most events are moderate M4–5 tremors that are felt but rarely cause damage.

2013

1
2014

1
2015

2
2016

2
2017

1
2019

2
2020

1
2021

3
2022

2
2023

7
2024

1
2025

1

What this shows Argentina's most active year for major earthquakes was 1977 (7 M6+ events). Major-quake counts are irregular, they track the episodic release of tectonic stress, not a smooth trend.

Magnitude distribution of major events

Breakdown of the 116 significant (M6+) earthquakes on record for Argentina.

M7.0-7.9

12.1%

M6.0-6.9

102

87.9%

Depth of major earthquakes

Hypocentral depth of the 116 M6+ events, shallow quakes shake the surface hardest. Average depth: 272 km.

Shallow (<70 km)

28.4% of events

Intermediate (70–300 km)

38.8% of events

Deep (>300 km)

32.8% of events

Strongest earthquakes in Argentina

The 10 most powerful events on record (USGS, since 1900).

Mag	Location	Depth	Date
7.7	123 km W of Río Grande, Argentina	10.0 km	Dec 17, 1949
7.4	San Juan, Argentina	13.0 km	Nov 23, 1977
7.3	27 km NNW of El Hoyo, Argentina	558.0 km	Jun 23, 1991
7.3	31 km SE of Villa Atamisqui, Argentina	620.0 km	Dec 7, 1912
7.2	75 km N of San Antonio de los Cobres, Argentina	225.0 km	May 12, 2000
7.2	13 km ENE of Trevelin, Argentina	15.0 km	Mar 2, 1919
7.2	21 km SSE of Taco Pozo, Argentina	588.7 km	Dec 8, 1962
7.1	44 km WNW of Quimilí, Argentina	610.0 km	Aug 14, 1950
7.1	48 km NNW of Suncho Corral, Argentina	600.0 km	Jun 21, 1916
7.0	32 km NW of Fiambalá, Argentina	15.0 km	Aug 3, 1920

Significant earthquake record (116 events)

Every catalogued magnitude-6.0-and-above earthquake in Argentina since 1900, most recent first.

Mag	Location	Depth	Date
6.4	289 km SSE of Ushuaia, Argentina	8.0 km	May 2, 2025
6.0	95 km NNW of Villa General Roca, Argentina	141.0 km	Sep 21, 2024
6.0	61 km WSW of Abra Pampa, Argentina	253.0 km	Oct 10, 2023
6.2	17 km NNW of El Hoyo, Argentina	554.0 km	Aug 23, 2023
6.2	Santiago del Estero, Argentina	575.0 km	Aug 5, 2023
6.6	19 km SE of Loncopué, Argentina	186.0 km	Jul 17, 2023
6.4	86 km WSW of El Aguilar, Argentina	228.0 km	Mar 22, 2023
6.4	Santiago del Estero, Argentina	580.0 km	Jan 24, 2023
6.8	29 km SW of Campo Gallo, Argentina	596.8 km	Jan 20, 2023
6.8	86 km NNW of San Antonio de los Cobres, Argentina	220.0 km	May 10, 2022
6.0	58 km W of Abra Pampa, Argentina	251.0 km	Feb 22, 2022
6.2	86 km NW of San Antonio de los Cobres, Argentina	205.0 km	Sep 13, 2021
6.4	26 km SW of Pocito, Argentina	20.8 km	Jan 19, 2021
6.1	32 km NW of San Antonio de los Cobres, Argentina	217.0 km	Jan 10, 2021
6.3	70 km W of San Antonio de los Cobres, Argentina	189.0 km	Nov 30, 2020
6.0	16 km WNW of El Hoyo, Argentina	572.4 km	Dec 24, 2019
6.1	30 km W of Villa La Angostura, Argentina	129.0 km	Sep 26, 2019
6.4	52 km NW of San Antonio de los Cobres, Argentina	222.0 km	Feb 18, 2017
6.4	7 km NNW of Pocito, Argentina	108.0 km	Nov 20, 2016
6.2	49 km WSW of La Quiaca, Argentina	270.0 km	Aug 4, 2016
6.7	103 km W of El Aguilar, Argentina	223.0 km	Feb 11, 2015
6.3	63 km W of Villa General Roca, Argentina	172.0 km	Feb 2, 2015
6.2	56 km NW of San Antonio de los Cobres, Argentina	224.0 km	Sep 24, 2014
6.1	32 km E of Suncho Corral, Argentina	575.2 km	Feb 22, 2013
6.7	35 km ESE of Suncho Corral, Argentina	586.9 km	May 28, 2012
6.1	37 km SSE of Suncho Corral, Argentina	553.9 km	Mar 5, 2012
6.7	20 km WNW of Añatuya, Argentina	578.9 km	Sep 2, 2011
7.0	26 km NNE of El Hoyo, Argentina	576.8 km	Jan 1, 2011
6.3	5 km NE of Campo Quijano, Argentina	10.0 km	Feb 27, 2010
6.0	40 km WSW of Villa Basilio Nievas, Argentina	39.8 km	Feb 27, 2010
6.2	100 km WSW of Abra Pampa, Argentina	220.4 km	Nov 14, 2009
6.3	32 km N of El Hoyo, Argentina	569.6 km	Sep 3, 2008
6.0	Jujuy, Argentina	246.4 km	Nov 18, 2007
6.4	19 km WSW of La Quiaca, Argentina	289.5 km	Jul 21, 2007
6.8	48 km S of Taco Pozo, Argentina	572.0 km	Nov 13, 2006
6.0	19 km NNE of El Hoyo, Argentina	598.3 km	Sep 22, 2006
6.2	108 km E of Caucete, Argentina	137.0 km	Sep 17, 2006
6.0	70 km WSW of Vinchina, Argentina	114.0 km	Sep 12, 2006
6.6	74 km WSW of San Antonio de los Cobres, Argentina	184.0 km	Aug 25, 2006
6.1	69 km W of San Antonio de los Cobres, Argentina	196.2 km	Jun 2, 2005
6.4	59 km ESE of Apolinario Saravia, Argentina	570.1 km	Mar 21, 2005
6.9	67 km ENE of Joaquín V. González, Argentina	579.1 km	Mar 21, 2005
6.1	36 km NNW of El Hoyo, Argentina	568.7 km	Nov 12, 2004
6.4	12 km SSW of San Fernando del Valle de Catamarca, Argentina	22.3 km	Sep 7, 2004
6.3	29 km SE of Calingasta, Argentina	119.6 km	Sep 24, 2002
6.0	39 km S of Arauco, Argentina	22.2 km	May 28, 2002
7.2	75 km N of San Antonio de los Cobres, Argentina	225.0 km	May 12, 2000
6.1	13 km NW of Añatuya, Argentina	609.8 km	Apr 23, 2000
7.0	22 km NW of Añatuya, Argentina	608.5 km	Apr 23, 2000
6.0	39 km WSW of Loncopué, Argentina	138.4 km	Dec 14, 1998
6.1	68 km WSW of Abra Pampa, Argentina	256.1 km	Jul 20, 1997
6.0	94 km NNW of San Antonio de los Cobres, Argentina	235.0 km	Dec 7, 1994
6.0	10 km ENE of Aluminé, Argentina	161.8 km	Oct 20, 1994
6.5	46 km NNW of El Hoyo, Argentina	563.6 km	Aug 19, 1994
6.9	18 km NW of Colonia Dora, Argentina	600.5 km	May 10, 1994
6.9	44 km SSE of Suncho Corral, Argentina	561.5 km	Apr 29, 1994
6.0	47 km NW of Abra Pampa, Argentina	272.0 km	Oct 19, 1993
6.3	30 km SE of Calingasta, Argentina	112.7 km	Jun 8, 1993
7.0	87 km W of Abra Pampa, Argentina	221.0 km	May 24, 1993
6.2	97 km W of El Aguilar, Argentina	221.0 km	May 24, 1993
7.3	27 km NNW of El Hoyo, Argentina	558.0 km	Jun 23, 1991
6.5	86 km E of General Enrique Mosconi, Argentina	569.0 km	Feb 28, 1989
6.1	84 km NNW of San Antonio de los Cobres, Argentina	193.6 km	Dec 24, 1988
6.0	32 km SE of General Mosconi, Argentina	538.1 km	Nov 6, 1987
6.4	8 km SSE of Colonia Dora, Argentina	604.5 km	Oct 27, 1987
6.7	88 km WNW of El Aguilar, Argentina	199.0 km	Sep 1, 1987
7.0	52 km W of Abra Pampa, Argentina	248.7 km	Apr 1, 1987
6.5	23 km WSW of Colonia Dora, Argentina	596.0 km	Oct 31, 1985
6.4	30 km SSE of Londres, Argentina	151.4 km	Jun 10, 1985
6.2	3 km N of San Martín, Argentina	5.0 km	Jan 26, 1985
6.2	54 km WNW of San Antonio de los Cobres, Argentina	192.0 km	Oct 20, 1984
6.0	48 km WSW of Abra Pampa, Argentina	272.1 km	Jan 1, 1984
6.9	38 km SE of Suncho Corral, Argentina	601.9 km	Dec 21, 1983
6.3	67 km E of Caucete, Argentina	23.0 km	Nov 24, 1977
6.0	65 km ENE of Caucete, Argentina	33.0 km	Nov 24, 1977
6.0	77 km SE of San Agustín de Valle Fértil, Argentina	33.0 km	Nov 23, 1977
7.4	San Juan, Argentina	13.0 km	Nov 23, 1977
6.1	45 km E of Suncho Corral, Argentina	614.0 km	Oct 22, 1977
6.0	70 km ESE of Apolinario Saravia, Argentina	549.0 km	Feb 4, 1977
6.3	185 km NW of Antofagasta de la Sierra, Argentina	33.0 km	Jan 17, 1977
6.5	218 km S of Ushuaia, Argentina	14.0 km	Dec 29, 1975
6.2	92 km W of Abra Pampa, Argentina	166.0 km	Aug 10, 1975
6.1	51 km W of Abra Pampa, Argentina	229.0 km	Feb 1, 1973
6.0	62 km NNE of San Martín, Argentina	21.2 km	Sep 26, 1972
6.0	26 km SW of Lago Puelo, Argentina	156.9 km	May 8, 1971
6.9	99 km WNW of San Antonio de los Cobres, Argentina	189.0 km	Feb 21, 1971
6.8	191 km E of Tolhuin, Argentina	10.0 km	Jun 15, 1970
6.0	86 km NW of San José de Jáchal, Argentina	116.7 km	Mar 15, 1970
6.7	39 km NNE of Suncho Corral, Argentina	580.4 km	Sep 9, 1967
6.2	34 km S of El Hoyo, Argentina	590.9 km	Jan 17, 1967
6.3	57 km SSE of Taco Pozo, Argentina	578.0 km	Dec 20, 1966
6.1	34 km SSE of Nueve de Julio, Argentina	113.0 km	Nov 10, 1966
6.3	41 km S of El Hoyo, Argentina	582.7 km	Dec 9, 1964
7.2	21 km SSE of Taco Pozo, Argentina	588.7 km	Dec 8, 1962
6.4	10 km SW of El Hoyo, Argentina	573.0 km	Sep 29, 1962
6.6	47 km ENE of Humahuaca, Argentina	25.0 km	May 12, 1959
6.1	40 km SW of El Calafate, Argentina	15.0 km	Apr 8, 1959
6.1	32 km W of Villa La Angostura, Argentina	15.0 km	Jul 28, 1955
6.8	8 km W of Nueve de Julio, Argentina	25.0 km	Jun 11, 1952
7.1	44 km WNW of Quimilí, Argentina	610.0 km	Aug 14, 1950

Showing the first 100 of 116 significant events.

Countries with similar seismic activity

Comparable catalogued earthquake frequency to Argentina.

Fiji

4,493 M4+ events · strongest M7.9

M7.9

Peru

4,591 M4+ events · strongest M8.0

M8.0

Greece

4,600 M4+ events · strongest M7.0

M7.0

China

4,920 M4+ events · strongest M7.9

M7.9

Iran

3,544 M4+ events · strongest M7.7

M7.7

Afghanistan

3,472 M4+ events · strongest M7.5

M7.5

Understand the data

How earthquakes are measured

Magnitude scales, seismographs, and depth.

Reading earthquake data

Interpreting magnitude, depth and frequency.

Earthquake preparedness

Before, during and after a quake.

Frequently asked questions

How many earthquakes have occurred in Argentina? ▼

The USGS catalog records 4,371 earthquakes of magnitude 4.0 or greater in Argentina since 2005, an average of about 208 per year. Separately, 116 significant (M6+) earthquakes are catalogued back to 1900.

What was the strongest earthquake in Argentina? ▼

The strongest catalogued earthquake in Argentina measured magnitude 7.7. Across the full M4+ catalog the average magnitude is 4.4 - most earthquakes are moderate.

How seismically active is Argentina? ▼

By catalogued M4+ activity, Argentina ranks 18th of 215 countries worldwide - a highly seismically active country. Its busiest year for major (M6+) events was 1977, with 7.

How deep are earthquakes in Argentina? ▼

Across the 116 major (M6+) events on record, the average depth is 272 km. 28% were shallow (under 70 km), where surface shaking is strongest at a given magnitude.

Where does this data come from? ▼

Every figure is derived from the USGS Comprehensive Earthquake Catalog (ComCat). M4+ counts cover 2005 onward (the period of consistent global completeness); the significant-event series covers M6+ back to 1900. Nothing is modelled or estimated.

About this data

Every figure on this page is computed directly from the USGS Comprehensive Earthquake Catalog (ComCat), the public-domain record maintained by the USGS Earthquake Hazards Program. Two series are combined: a worldwide catalog of magnitude-4.0-and-above events from 2005 onward, the period over which the global seismograph network reliably detects and locates earthquakes everywhere, and a historical series of significant magnitude-6.0-and-above events stretching back to 1900. Magnitudes use the moment-magnitude scale (Mw), the modern standard that supersedes the older Richter scale; because the scale is logarithmic, each whole step represents roughly thirty-two times more energy released. Depth is measured in kilometres from the surface, and shallow earthquakes generally produce stronger shaking than deep ones of the same magnitude. Counts reflect what instruments recorded, not every tremor that occurred, and recent events can be revised as seismologists refine the catalog.

Source: USGS ComCat, verify with USGS → · See our methodology for the full pipeline.

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