Significant earthquakes of 1898

February 5, 1898 Earthquake: Catamarca, Argentina

February 5, 1898

An earthquake struck Catamarca, Argentina on February 5, 1898.

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
February 5, 1898
Place
Catamarca, Argentina
Intensity
8 on the Modified Mercalli scale
Tsunami
None recorded
Epicenter
28.450° S, 66.150° W
Country
Argentina

The toll

Damage
Moderate (about $1 to $5 million)

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.

It caused the destruction of Poman and neighbouring towns such as Saujil and Mutquin. It was felt in the provinces of Salta, Tucumán, Santiago del Estero, La Rioja and northern Cordoba. The intensity of the earthquake was VIII Mercalli degrees. (reference #14044)

Other significant earthquakes nearby

Within 200 km, the deadliest first.

More

Significant earthquakes of 1898The 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 10873.