M3.9 earthquake 96 km W of Illapel, Chile

A magnitude 3.9 earthquake struck 96 km W of Illapel, Chile on Sat, Oct 6, 1973, 6:56 PM GMT-3 (21:56 UTC), 33 km (21 mi) below the surface.

A larger quake followed: M5.2 58 km W of Illapel, Chile. This one was a foreshock.

Map

Where this earthquake was located, with the others nearby. Select one for its page.

No one has reported feeling this quake to the USGS.

Reviewed by a seismologist.

Distance and direction from each place to the epicenter, with its forecast.

Within 100 km, magnitude 1.5 and up: 5 in the 60 days after this one and 7 in the 30 days before it.

From the USGS Earthquake Hazards Program and its partner networks, event usp00003qw. Read Wed, Sep 30, 2026, 9:32 PM UTC.