Significant earthquakes of 1899

April 12, 1899 Earthquake: La Rioja, Argentina

April 12, 1899 · 11 deaths

An earthquake struck La Rioja, Argentina on April 12, 1899. It killed 11 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
April 12, 1899
Place
La Rioja, Argentina
Intensity
8 on the Modified Mercalli scale
Tsunami
None recorded
Epicenter
28.650° S, 68.400° W
Country
Argentina

The toll

Deaths
11
Injuries
Some (about 51 to 100)
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 left the town of Jague in ruins, caused serious damage in Vinchina. It caused the death of 11 people and several injured. It was felt in La Rioja, Catamarca, San Juan, Cordoba, Tucumán and Santiago del Estero. The maximum intensity was VIII degrees Mercalli. (reference #14044)

Other significant earthquakes nearby

Within 200 km, the deadliest first.

More

Significant earthquakes of 1899The 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 10874.