M4.9 earthquake 53 km W of Cartagena, Chile

A magnitude 4.9 earthquake struck 53 km W of Cartagena, Chile on Mon, May 20, 1985, 6:22 AM GMT-4 (10:22 UTC), 33 km (21 mi) below the surface.

A larger quake followed: M6.0 42 km WNW of Valparaíso, 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 1.9 and up: 32 in the 60 days after this one and 15 in the 30 days before it.

From the USGS Earthquake Hazards Program and its partner networks, event usp0002f0a. Read Mon, Sep 28, 2026, 8:33 PM UTC.