Significant earthquakes of 1869

August 21, 1869 Earthquake: Iquique, Chile

August 21, 1869 · M6.8

A magnitude 6.8 earthquake struck Iquique, Chile on August 21, 1869 at 16:40 UTC. It caused a tsunami.

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
August 21, 1869
Time
16:40 UTC
Place
Iquique, Chile
Magnitude
6.8 (Ms)
Epicenter
21.000° S, 70.000° W
Country
Chile

The toll

The record gives no deaths, injuries or damage for this earthquake.

What the record says

NCEI’s account, from the sources it cites.

1869, August 21, 12:40 [local time]. Magnitude 6 3/4, 21 S, 70 W. At Iquique there was another strong shock, followed by milder shocks until 16:30. The sea remained calm, but was somewhat agitated on the following days. The earthquake possibly was felt at Arequipa [Peru] and Copiapo [Chile]. (reference #415)

1869, August 20-24. Peru, Chile, Tacna, Arica, Iquique, Pica, sea waves. (reference #1055)

Other significant earthquakes nearby

Within 200 km, the deadliest first.

More

Significant earthquakes of 1869The 1800sRecent 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 9781.