Country profile · USGS ComCat
Earthquakes in Peru
Peru has catalogued 4,621 M4+ earthquakes since 2005 (ranked 14th of 187 countries), with the strongest reaching magnitude M8.4.
Peru ranks 14th of 187 countries by catalogued seismic activity - a highly seismically active country, averaging about 220 M4+ events a year alongside 219 significant M6+ earthquakes since 1900. 7 of those major events reached M8 or greater, the catalogue's top magnitude class.
- 4,621
- M4+ events (since 2005)
- 219
- Major M6+ (since 1900)
- M8.4
- Strongest
- ~220
- M4+ per year
The verdict
Peru is among the more seismically active places worldwide, with 4,621 M4+ earthquakes logged since 2005 and 219 major M6+ events since 1900, the strongest reaching magnitude 8.4.
- 1970
- busiest year (8 major events)
- 97 km
- average recorded event depth
- 63%
- of events are shallow (<70 km, the most damaging kind)
Average catalogued magnitude is 4.5 - most events are moderate M4-5 tremors that are felt but rarely cause damage. On the M4+ activity ladder China sits immediately above at 4,994 events and Greece sits immediately below at 4,616.
USGS ComCat event tape
Event tape PERU · Peru M4+ · 14th/187
Peru · 4,621 M4+ · max M8.4 · 219 M6+
- MAX 4,621
- M6 14th/187
- DEPTH M8.4
- PHOTO 219
- BUSY near China
- SHAL 63% shallow
Stamps derive from this country's USGS ComCat row (M4+ book, rank, peak magnitude, M6+ record, ladder neighbour, depth/peak year), not a hazard forecast. PlainQuake is informational only - not professional advice and not a substitute for official USGS guidance. See our disclaimer. Verify with USGS ComCat → · Read with methodology → · How earthquakes are measured → · Reading earthquake data → · All country catalog rows → · Countries ranked →
Observed impact record
What ComCat observed after earthquakes in Peru
USGS recorded Modified Mercalli Intensity (MMI) for 165 events in this catalogued record; their average observed intensity was MMI 5.7. These are only events with an observation, not an estimate of future shaking or a safety rating.
- MMI observations
- 165
- Average observed MMI
- 5.7
- PAGER alerts / tsunami flags
- 28 / 9
Source: USGS Comprehensive Earthquake Catalog (ComCat) GeoJSON impact fields. Missing MMI, alert, and tsunami values remain unreported rather than being treated as zero.
Where Peru sits in the catalog
Rank 14th of 187 tracked countries (93th percentile by M4+ count since 2005). On the M4+ activity ladder China sits immediately above at 4,994 events and Greece sits immediately below at 4,616.
Peru's M4+ count vs. every tracked country
Total catalogued M4+ events since 2005, USGS ComCat
4,621 Top 7% higher than 93% of 187 countries
Each bar is a 500-wide band; taller bars hold more countries. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.
Source USGS Comprehensive Earthquake Catalog (ComCat) · 2005-present
Major (M6+) earthquakes in Peru by year
Count of significant (magnitude 6.0+) events catalogued each year
- 2015
2015: 2 major (M6+) events
2
- 2016
2016: 3 major (M6+) events
3
- 2017 1
2017: 1 major (M6+) events
1
- 2018
2018: 2 major (M6+) events
2
- 2019
2019: 2 major (M6+) events
2
- 2020 1
2020: 1 major (M6+) events
1
- 2021
2021: 2 major (M6+) events
2
- 2022
2022: 2 major (M6+) events
2
- 2023 1
2023: 1 major (M6+) events
1
- 2024
2024: 3 major (M6+) events
3
- 2025 1
2025: 1 major (M6+) events
1
- 2026
2026: 2 major (M6+) events
2
What this shows Peru's most active year for major earthquakes was 1970 (8 M6+ events). Major-quake counts are irregular, they track the episodic release of tectonic stress, not a smooth trend.
How Peru earthquake activity changed recently
| Year | M4+ events | YoY change | Global YoY |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | +100.0% | -43.9% |
| 2025 | 1 | -66.7% | +29.3% |
| 2024 | 3 | +200.0% | -12.6% |
| 2023 | 1 | -50.0% | +3.0% |
| 2022 | 2 | 0.0% | -8.9% |
Peru's M4+ activity rose faster than the global average in 2026: +100.0% locally vs -43.9% globally, a 143.9-point gap.
Source: USGS Comprehensive Earthquake Catalog (ComCat). M4+ = magnitude 4.0 or greater. YoY = year-on-year change. Global column uses the worldwide total from the same catalog.
56 of 4,621 catalogued M4+ events since 2005 reached M6.0 or higher.
Magnitude distribution of major events
Breakdown of the 219 significant (M6+) earthquakes on record for Peru.
M8+
7
3.2%
M7.0-7.9
42
19.2%
M6.0-6.9
170
77.6%
Depth of major earthquakes
Hypocentral depth of the 219 M6+ events, shallow quakes shake the surface hardest. Average depth: 97 km.
Shallow (<70 km)
139
63.5% of events
Intermediate (70–300 km)
66
30.1% of events
Deep (>300 km)
14
6.4% of events
Strongest earthquakes in Peru
The 10 most powerful events on record (USGS, since 1900).
| Mag | Location | Depth | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8.4 | 6 km SSW of Atico, Peru | 33.0 km | Jun 23, 2001 |
| 8.2 | 21 km SE of Huacho, Peru | 45.0 km | May 24, 1940 |
| 8.1 | 67 km W of Paramonga, Peru | 37.4 km | Oct 17, 1966 |
| 8.1 | 21 km NNE of Minas de Marcona, Peru | 30.0 km | Aug 24, 1942 |
| 8.0 | 78 km NE of Navarro, Peru | 122.6 km | May 26, 2019 |
| 8.0 | 41 km SW of San Vicente de Cañete, Peru | 39.0 km | Aug 15, 2007 |
| 8.0 | 95 km N of San Antonio del Estrecho, Peru | 644.8 km | Jul 31, 1970 |
| 7.9 | 34 km SW of Chimbote, Peru | 58.4 km | May 31, 1970 |
| 7.9 | 143 km ESE of San Antonio del Estrecho, Peru | 475.0 km | Jan 17, 1922 |
| 7.7 | 37 km SSW of Atico, Peru | 25.0 km | Aug 6, 1913 |
Significant earthquake record (219 events)
Every catalogued magnitude-6.0-and-above earthquake in Peru since 1900, most recent first.
| Mag | Location | Depth | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6.7 | 31 km NW of Aniso, Peru | 99.0 km | Aug 20, 2026 |
| 6.0 | 19 km SE of Picota, Peru | 126.0 km | Apr 1, 2026 |
| 6.2 | 43 km W of Puerto Santa, Peru | 58.0 km | Dec 28, 2025 |
| 6.1 | 34 km SW of Atiquipa, Peru | 18.0 km | Jun 29, 2024 |
| 7.2 | 10 km WSW of Atiquipa, Peru | 24.0 km | Jun 28, 2024 |
| 6.0 | 10 km SW of Atiquipa, Peru | 27.0 km | Jun 16, 2024 |
| 6.2 | 11 km E of Iray, Peru | 93.0 km | Dec 20, 2023 |
| 7.2 | 10 km W of Azángaro, Peru | 236.0 km | May 26, 2022 |
| 6.5 | 49 km NW of Barranca, Peru | 110.0 km | Feb 3, 2022 |
| 7.5 | 43 km NNW of Barranca, Peru | 126.0 km | Nov 28, 2021 |
| 6.2 | 7 km E of Sullana, Peru | 34.0 km | Jul 30, 2021 |
| 6.1 | 19 km SW of Vilavila, Peru | 186.0 km | May 31, 2020 |
| 8.0 | 78 km NE of Navarro, Peru | 122.6 km | May 26, 2019 |
| 7.0 | 22 km NNE of Azángaro, Peru | 267.0 km | Mar 1, 2019 |
| 7.1 | 136 km W of Iñapari, Peru | 630.0 km | Aug 24, 2018 |
| 7.1 | 37 km W of Atiquipa, Peru | 39.0 km | Jan 14, 2018 |
| 6.4 | 22 km S of Atico, Peru | 43.7 km | Jul 18, 2017 |
| 6.4 | 186 km NW of Iñapari, Peru | 612.0 km | Dec 18, 2016 |
| 6.2 | 22 km SW of Vilavila, Peru | 12.0 km | Dec 1, 2016 |
| 6.1 | 51 km N of Moyobamba, Peru | 121.0 km | Sep 10, 2016 |
| 7.6 | 185 km WNW of Iñapari, Peru | 620.6 km | Nov 24, 2015 |
| 7.6 | 155 km WNW of Iñapari, Peru | 606.2 km | Nov 24, 2015 |
| 6.8 | 38 km NW of Aniso, Peru | 101.0 km | Aug 24, 2014 |
| 6.3 | 16 km W of Sechura, Peru | 29.0 km | Mar 15, 2014 |
| 6.1 | 24 km SSW of Paracas, Peru | 20.0 km | Mar 15, 2014 |
| 7.1 | 16 km WSW of Atiquipa, Peru | 40.0 km | Sep 25, 2013 |
| 6.2 | 96 km WSW of Paita, Peru | 10.0 km | Aug 12, 2013 |
| 6.0 | 3 km ESE of Maca, Peru | 7.0 km | Jul 17, 2013 |
| 6.0 | 16 km ESE of San Alejandro, Peru | 129.0 km | Nov 10, 2012 |
| 6.1 | 30 km E of San Fernando, Peru | 144.6 km | Aug 2, 2012 |
| 6.1 | 16 km S of Uñon, Peru | 110.0 km | Jun 7, 2012 |
| 6.2 | 40 km ENE of Palca, Peru | 105.9 km | May 14, 2012 |
| 6.4 | 6 km ESE of Pampa de Tate, Peru | 43.0 km | Jan 30, 2012 |
| 6.9 | 39 km SW of Santiago, Peru | 24.0 km | Oct 28, 2011 |
| 7.0 | 64 km ESE of Contamana, Peru | 147.0 km | Aug 24, 2011 |
| 6.3 | 68 km ESE of Palca, Peru | 118.0 km | Mar 6, 2011 |
| 6.1 | 4 km WNW of Sacsamarca, Peru | 101.4 km | May 23, 2010 |
| 6.0 | 83 km NNE of Yambrasbamba, Peru | 132.0 km | May 19, 2010 |
| 6.2 | 21 km S of Las Yaras, Peru | 37.0 km | May 6, 2010 |
| 6.1 | 10 km SSW of Tirapata, Peru | 198.9 km | Jul 12, 2009 |
| 6.0 | 117 km SSW of Sechura, Peru | 15.0 km | Feb 9, 2009 |
| 6.0 | 40 km WNW of Pisco, Peru | 21.0 km | Feb 2, 2009 |
| 6.4 | 78 km ESE of Contamana, Peru | 154.0 km | Aug 26, 2008 |
| 6.2 | 28 km E of Lluta, Peru | 123.0 km | Jul 8, 2008 |
| 6.0 | 7 km NNW of Paracas, Peru | 30.0 km | Aug 18, 2007 |
| 6.0 | 46 km S of Paracas, Peru | 35.0 km | Aug 16, 2007 |
| 6.4 | 46 km WSW of Santiago, Peru | 23.4 km | Aug 16, 2007 |
| 8.0 | 41 km SW of San Vicente de Cañete, Peru | 39.0 km | Aug 15, 2007 |
| 6.1 | 52 km NNE of Pucallpa, Peru | 152.1 km | Jul 12, 2007 |
| 6.3 | 63 km WSW of Pimentel, Peru | 23.0 km | Feb 24, 2007 |
| 6.0 | 41 km SW of San Vicente de Cañete, Peru | 28.1 km | Oct 26, 2006 |
| 6.7 | 52 km SW of San Vicente de Cañete, Peru | 23.0 km | Oct 20, 2006 |
| 6.0 | 26 km W of Chichas, Peru | 107.0 km | Sep 30, 2006 |
| 7.5 | 39 km NW of Yurimaguas, Peru | 115.0 km | Sep 26, 2005 |
| 6.3 | 55 km NW of Zorritos, Peru | 39.5 km | May 21, 2005 |
| 6.0 | 18 km ENE of Shirac, Peru | 129.9 km | Apr 11, 2005 |
| 6.0 | 81 km SSW of Quilca, Peru | 33.0 km | Jun 3, 2003 |
| 6.0 | 35 km E of San Fernando, Peru | 160.6 km | Dec 28, 2001 |
| 7.6 | 51 km SW of Punta de Bombón, Peru | 33.0 km | Jul 7, 2001 |
| 6.6 | 31 km S of Achanizo, Peru | 62.0 km | Jul 5, 2001 |
| 6.7 | 34 km WSW of Pacocha, Peru | 24.0 km | Jun 26, 2001 |
| 6.1 | 56 km SSW of Quilca, Peru | 33.0 km | Jun 23, 2001 |
| 8.4 | 6 km SSW of Atico, Peru | 33.0 km | Jun 23, 2001 |
| 6.8 | 6 km SE of Camaná, Peru | 87.2 km | Apr 3, 1999 |
| 6.2 | 16 km SSE of Pucara, Peru | 136.2 km | Oct 8, 1998 |
| 6.6 | 43 km NE of San Fernando, Peru | 164.6 km | Apr 3, 1998 |
| 6.4 | 101 km E of Pangoa, Peru | 33.0 km | Jan 10, 1998 |
| 6.7 | 97 km NE of Sandia, Peru | 586.0 km | Nov 28, 1997 |
| 7.2 | 51 km N of Barranca, Peru | 112.0 km | Oct 28, 1997 |
| 6.2 | 90 km SE of Palca, Peru | 115.6 km | Apr 1, 1997 |
| 6.2 | 73 km SE of Palca, Peru | 113.8 km | Apr 1, 1997 |
| 6.1 | 68 km S of Paracas, Peru | 33.0 km | Feb 9, 1997 |
| 6.0 | 29 km WSW of San Juan, Peru | 33.0 km | Nov 13, 1996 |
| 6.1 | 54 km WSW of Changuillo, Peru | 33.0 km | Nov 13, 1996 |
| 7.7 | 60 km SW of Changuillo, Peru | 33.0 km | Nov 12, 1996 |
| 7.5 | 123 km WSW of Puerto Santa, Peru | 10.0 km | Feb 21, 1996 |
| 6.5 | 81 km W of Paramonga, Peru | 59.9 km | Sep 23, 1995 |
| 6.7 | 64 km WSW of Alianza Cristiana, Peru | 97.0 km | May 2, 1995 |
| 6.3 | 45 km E of Estique, Peru | 148.2 km | Dec 12, 1994 |
| 6.0 | 5 km WSW of Nicasio, Peru | 199.5 km | Jun 16, 1994 |
| 6.1 | 92 km E of Sina, Peru | 650.0 km | Jun 9, 1994 |
| 6.9 | 74 km S of Tambopata, Peru | 596.0 km | Jan 10, 1994 |
| 6.3 | 15 km SE of Lachaqui, Peru | 106.3 km | Apr 18, 1993 |
| 6.3 | 52 km SSW of Alianza Cristiana, Peru | 96.5 km | Jul 13, 1992 |
| 6.1 | 4 km E of San Clemente, Peru | 56.9 km | May 16, 1992 |
| 7.0 | 15 km W of Lares, Peru | 104.5 km | Jul 6, 1991 |
| 6.0 | 50 km SSE of San Juan, Peru | 21.4 km | Jul 1, 1991 |
| 6.8 | 13 km SSE of Chojata, Peru | 127.7 km | May 24, 1991 |
| 6.3 | 21 km ESE of Pampa de Tate, Peru | 50.0 km | Apr 5, 1991 |
| 7.1 | 11 km NE of Rioja, Peru | 19.8 km | Apr 5, 1991 |
| 6.5 | 4 km ENE of Rioja, Peru | 20.7 km | Apr 4, 1991 |
| 6.2 | 147 km WSW of Puerto Santa, Peru | 24.7 km | Mar 21, 1991 |
| 6.0 | 27 km SSW of Sechura, Peru | 35.1 km | Mar 20, 1991 |
| 7.0 | 130 km W of Iñapari, Peru | 598.8 km | Oct 17, 1990 |
| 6.6 | 6 km ESE of Segunda Jerusalén - Azunguillo, Peru | 24.2 km | May 30, 1990 |
| 6.6 | 69 km ESE of Contamana, Peru | 153.0 km | Dec 3, 1989 |
| 6.2 | 52 km WSW of Islay (Matarani), Peru | 16.1 km | Apr 13, 1988 |
| 7.1 | 30 km SW of Islay (Matarani), Peru | 33.1 km | Apr 12, 1988 |
| 6.0 | 136 km SSW of Atico, Peru | 32.3 km | Mar 9, 1988 |
| 6.6 | 36 km SSW of Locumba, Peru | 36.5 km | Aug 13, 1987 |
Showing the first 100 of 219 significant events.
Other countries in this catalog sample
A Peru-keyed shuffle of the full 186-country roster, not the six nearest by count.
Peak-magnitude sample from the same roster
A second Peru-keyed shuffle of countries with a recorded max magnitude.
Showing 6 of 186 countries with a recorded max magnitude.
According to the US Geological Survey Earthquake Hazards Program, PlainQuake's figures are rendered directly from 317,293 recorded M4+ earthquakes and 14,444 significant M6+ events (USGS ComCat, 2005-present) -- no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of 2026-08-26.