Significant earthquakes of 1930

December 29, 1930 Earthquake: Northern, Chile

December 29, 1930 · M6

A magnitude 6 earthquake struck Northern, Chile on December 29, 1930 at 08:26:24 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
December 29, 1930
Time
08:26:24 UTC
Place
Northern, Chile
Magnitude
6 (Ms)
Epicenter
28.500° S, 71.000° 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.

At Copiapo on December 29, 1930, 03:26:24 [local time], there were strong oscillations reaching an intensity of 5 degrees, not accompanied by a rumble; the population was alarmed. There were strong underground shocks at Freirina and Vallenar. The earthquake was felt at Coquimbo and La Serena. It was preceded by a shock at 23:55 [local time] on the 28th, which was felt midly at Caldera and was accompanied by aftershocks, which were recorded until the 30th.

In the Coquimbo region and on a 550 km (300 miles) stretch to the north, unusually large flood tides and a very heavy sea were observed during the day following the first earthquake.

The earthquake was registered by the Santiago station. According to a bulletin of the station, the parameters of the earthquake were as follows: 28.5S, +1.5o, 71W +1o; M=6 +0.5)

(above from reference #415)

Reference #79 lists the date as either December 28 or December 30.

Other significant earthquakes nearby

Within 200 km, the deadliest first.

More

Significant earthquakes of 1930The 1900sEvery quake the USGS located in 1930Recent 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 6091.