September 17, 1707 Earthquake: Cuzco, Peru
A magnitude 5.8 earthquake struck Cuzco, Peru on September 17, 1707 at 05:00 UTC, 10 km below the surface. It killed 160 people.
Map
Where it struck, with the other significant earthquakes within 200 km. Circles are sized and colored by magnitude; select one for its page.
The earthquake
- Date
- September 17, 1707
- Time
- 05:00 UTC
- Place
- Cuzco, Peru
- Magnitude
- 5.8
- Focal depth
- 10 km (6 mi)
- Intensity
- 10 on the Modified Mercalli scale
- Tsunami
- None recorded
- Epicenter
- 13.900° S, 72.100° W
- Country
- Peru
The toll
- Deaths
- 160
- Injuries
- Many (about 101 to 1,000)
Where the literature gives no number, NCEI records a description on a scale of 1 to 4, printed here in its words. Damage is in millions of US dollars of the year of the event, not adjusted for inflation.
What the record says
NCEI’s account, from the sources it cites.
1707, Sept. 17. Cuzco. At noon a strong earthquake occurred. In chapi 160 persons were killed and many were injured. Until October 7, 28 tremors were counted. (reference #1102)
Other significant earthquakes nearby
Within 200 km, the deadliest first.
- November 4, 1913, Amyaraes, Abancay, Casaya, Soraya, Peru
- May 21, 1950, Cusco, Peru
- January 31, 1943, Yanacoa, Pampamarca, Peru
- June 24, 1939, Pomacanchi, Peru
- December 2, 1914, Pararca,paysa,colta,oyala, Peru
- April 5, 1986, Cuzco, Peru
- April 9, 1928, Peru
- August 15, 2016, Arequipa, Peru
- September 28, 2014, Paruro Province, Peru
- October 15, 1971, Apurimac, Peru
- August 9, 2001, Antabama, Peru
- March 31, 1650, Sicasica, Cuzco,collao,lima, Bolivia, Peru
- April 17, 2024, Quispicanchi, Peru
- 1581, Yanaoca, Peru
- March 24, 1739, Santa Catalina, Peru
More
Significant earthquakes of 1707The 1700sRecent earthquakes near hereThis day in weather history
Sources
Significant earthquakes from NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information, Global Historical Hazard Database, cited as NCEI/WDS, doi:10.7289/V5PN93H7. Public domain. Read 2026-09-24. NCEI earthquake 1174.