Significant earthquakes of 2019

January 20, 2019 Earthquake: Coquimbo, LA Serena, Chile

January 20, 2019 · M6.7 · 2 deaths · $100 million

A magnitude 6.7 earthquake struck Coquimbo, LA Serena, Chile on January 20, 2019 at 01:32:48 UTC, 63 km below the surface. It killed 2 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
January 20, 2019
Time
01:32:48 UTC
Place
Coquimbo, LA Serena, Chile
Magnitude
6.7 (Mw)
Focal depth
63 km (39 mi)
Tsunami
None recorded
Epicenter
30.040° S, 71.382° W
Country
Chile

The toll

Deaths
2
Damage
$100 million
Houses damaged
1,061

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.

Two people died from heart attacks, at least 1,061 homes damaged and landslides and power outages occurred in Coquimbo. (reference #1053)

Regarding the new balance of affected houses and services in the area, [President Pinera] pointed out that "we already accounted for the loss of more than 260 homes that are severely damaged. In terms of Public Works, the electricity supply that had been suspended for 260 thousand people is practically replenished and only isolated cases remain. The potable water service is also practically recovered." (reference #12347)

Chile's national emergency service said the two casualties, an elderly man and an elderly woman from Coquimbo, suffered heart attacks due to the quake[...]Local media reported that residents in Coquimbo and neighboring Serena, a coastal region about 500 kilometers from Santiago, were ordered to evacuate to high ground even though authorities quickly ruled out a tsunami. (reference #12346)

A witness reported minor damage to older buildings in the coastal city of La Serena, a popular Pacific coast beach town about 400 kilometers (250 miles) north of Santiago. (reference #12348)

100 million USD economic loss (reference #13727)

Other significant earthquakes nearby

Within 200 km, the deadliest first.

More

Significant earthquakes of 2019The 2000sEvery quake the USGS located in 2019Recent 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 10388.