Significant earthquakes of 1914

February 26, 1914 Earthquake: Arequipa, Peru

February 26, 1914 · M7.2

A magnitude 7.2 earthquake struck Arequipa, Peru on February 26, 1914 at 04:58:12 UTC, 130 km below the surface. 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
February 26, 1914
Time
04:58:12 UTC
Place
Arequipa, Peru
Magnitude
7.2 (Ms)
Focal depth
130 km (81 mi)
Epicenter
17.000° S, 72.000° W
Country
Peru

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.

February 26, 1914 (04h48.2 UTC, 18 S, 67 W, depth 130 km, magnitude 7.2). At Arequipa, the strongest earthquake of the year occurred, reaching 6-7 degrees. There was considerable panic. The earthquake was even stronger west and south of Arequipa and extended to northern Chile. The loud roar of breakers was heard at a distance of 55 km (30 miles) inland from the coast at Mollendo immediately following the tremors. To the north and east the earthquake was in general hardly noticed. (reference #415)

February 26, 1914, 04:58:12 UTC, 18 S, 67 W, depth 130 km, magnitude 7.2. (reference #1221)

February 26, 1914, 04:58:12 UTC, 18 S, 67 W, depth 130 km, magnitude 7.2. (reference #1204)

February 26, 1914, 04:58:12 UTC, 18 S, 67 W, depth 130 km, magnitude 7.2. (reference #88)

Note: The location of the earthquake given in the references must be incorrect (18 S, 67 W is in Bolivia). Arequipa is located at 16.4 S, 71.55 W, and Mollendo is located at 17.02 S, 72 W.

Other significant earthquakes nearby

Within 200 km, the deadliest first.

More

Significant earthquakes of 1914The 1900sEvery quake the USGS located in 1914Recent 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 6578.