Earthquake in Chile today, Sunday October 18, 2026: exact time, magnitude, and where the epicenter of the latest earthquake was, according to the CSN

Chile registers seismic activity throughout the year due to its location in one of the most active tectonic zones on the planet. This Sunday, October 18, 2026, the National Seismological Center (CSN) of the University of Chile reports new telluric movements in different areas of the country, with reference epicenters in sectors such as El Salvador, Patache, Cobquecura, and Arica. Monitoring allows knowing the time of each event, its magnitude and depth, as well as the epicenter's location, fundamental information for following the evolution of seismic activity in cities such as Santiago, Calama, Antofagasta, Iquique, La Serena, and Concepción. Earthquake in Chile today, Sunday, October 18: latest earthquake reported by the CSN The report of the latest earthquakes in Chile corresponding to this Sunday, October 18, 2026, will be updated with official information from the National Seismological Center (CSN), the body responsible for monitoring seismic activity in Chilean territory. The information will include the available data on the telluric movements recorded during the day, with the aim of keeping the population informed about seismic activity in the different regions of the country. Earthquake in San Pedro de Atacama - Time: 22:50:05 - UTC Time: 01:50:05 - Latitude: -22.68 - Longitude: -68.36 - Depth: 105 km - Magnitude: 2.7 MLv - Source: CSN Earthquake in Socaire - Reference: 45 km SE of Socaire - Local Time 19:52:58 18/10/2026 - UTC Time: 22:52:58 18/10/2026 - Latitude: -23.93 - Longitude: -67.65 - Depth: 265 km - Magnitude: 2.7 MLv - Source: CSN Earthquake of magnitude 2.8 99 km southeast of Ollagüe The National Seismological Center reported an earthquake of magnitude 2.8 Mlv at 18:20:31 on this Sunday, October 18, whose epicenter was located 99 kilometers southeast of Ollagüe. The event had a depth of 195 kilometers and was recorded in the seismic catalog with its corresponding geographic coordinates. Although the report allows knowing the magnitude, time, and location of the movement, the data provided do not include information about public perception, material damage, or possible effects in nearby localities. - Magnitude: 2.8 Mlv - Local Date and Time: October 18, 2026, 18:20:31 - Location: 99 km southeast of Ollagüe - Depth: 195 km - Coordinates: -21.88, -67.61 - Official File: https://www.sismologia.cl/sismicidad/informes/2026/10/387651.html Earthquake of magnitude 3,0 34 km southwest of Lebu The National Seismological Center reported an earthquake of magnitude 3.0 Mlv at 12:30:03 p.m. on this Sunday, October 18, whose epicenter was located 65 kilometers southwest of Lebu. The event had a depth of 39 kilometers and was recorded in the seismic catalog with its corresponding geographic coordinates. Although the report allows knowing the magnitude, time, and location of the movement, the data provided do not include information about public perception, material damage, or possible effects in nearby localities. - Magnitude: 3.0 Mlv - Local Date and Time: October 18, 2026, 12:30:03 p.m. - Location: 65 km southwest of Lebu - Depth: 39 km - Coordinates: -38.02, -74.17 - Official File: https://www.sismologia.cl/sismicidad/informes/2026/10/387651.html Earthquake of magnitude 3,0 34 km southwest of Huasco The National Seismological Center reported an earthquake of magnitude 3.0 Mlv at 8:22:55 a.m. on this Sunday, October 18, whose epicenter was located 34 kilometers southwest of Huasco. The event had a depth of 28 kilometers and was recorded in the seismic catalog with its corresponding geographic coordinates. Although the report allows knowing the magnitude, time, and location of the movement, the data provided do not include information about public perception, material damage, or possible effects in nearby localities. - Magnitude: 3.0 Mlv - Local Date and Time: October 18, 2026, 8:22:55 a.m. - Location: 34 km southwest of Huasco - Depth: 28 km - Coordinates: -28.707, -71.443 - Official File: https://www.sismologia.cl/sismicidad/informes/2026/10/387651.html Earthquake of magnitude 3,5 56 km east of Socaire A movement of magnitude 3.5 Mlv was recorded at 7:57:42 a.m. on Sunday, October 18, at 56 kilometers east of Socaire. The CSN reported a depth of 239 kilometers, considerably greater than that of the other events included in the list. This parameter allows distinguishing it from the more superficial movements recorded during the same morning. The available information does not specify whether the tremor was perceived by the population or if it caused consequences in the area. - Magnitude: 3.5 Mlv - Local Date and Time: October 18, 2026, 7:57:42 a.m. - Location: 56 km east of Socaire - Depth: 239 km - Coordinates: -23.503, -67.349 - Official File: https://www.sismologia.cl/sismicidad/informes/2026/10/387648.html Earthquake of magnitude 2.5 13 km west of Quintero The CSN report also includes an earthquake of magnitude 2.5 Mlv recorded at 7:41:55 a.m. on Sunday, October 18. The epicenter was located 13 kilometers west of Quintero, with a depth of 30 kilometers. The record provides the location and coordinates of the movement, but does not contain additional information about whether it was felt in Quintero or other nearby localities. Therefore, the confirmed information is limited to the instrumental parameters published by the organization. - Magnitude: 2.5 Mlv - Local Date and Time: October 18, 2026, 7:41:55 a.m. - Location: 13 km west of Quintero - Depth: 30 km - Coordinates: -32.779, -71.660 - Official File: https://www.sismologia.cl/sismicidad/informes/2026/10/387646.html Earthquake of magnitude 2.8 42 km west of Mina Collahuasi At 7:18:25 a.m. on Sunday, October 18, a movement of magnitude 2.8 Mlv was recorded, located 42 kilometers west of Mina Collahuasi. According to the National Seismological Center, the event had a depth of 103 kilometers. This value places the earthquake at a greater depth than those recorded near Huasco and Quintero, although above the event located east of Socaire. The available record does not include information about possible damage or public perception of the movement. - Magnitude: 2.8 Mlv - Local Date and Time: October 18, 2026, 7:18:25 a.m. - Location: 42 km west of Mina Collahuasi - Depth: 103 km - Coordinates: -20.932, -69.045 - Official File: https://www.sismologia.cl/sismicidad/informes/2026/10/387643.html Earthquake of magnitude 2.9 95 km northeast of El Salvador The National Seismological Center's list completes these records with an earthquake of magnitude 2.9 Mlv, which occurred at 5:39:33 a.m. on Sunday, October 18. The epicenter was located 95 kilometers northeast of El Salvador, with a depth of 100 kilometers. This movement was recorded several hours before the other four events included in the report. The data allow identifying its main characteristics, but do not confirm damage, effects, or reports of people who felt the tremor. - Magnitude: 2.9 Mlv - Local Date and Time: October 18, 2026, 5:39:33 a.m. - Location: 95 km northeast of El Salvador - Depth: 100 km - Coordinates: -25.587, -69.022 - Official File: https://www.sismologia.cl/sismicidad/informes/2026/10/387636.html Stay on this live blog for the report of the latest earthquakes in Chile today, Sunday, October 18, 2026, with updated information on seismic activity recorded by the National Seismological Center (CSN) of the University of Chile. Here you can consult the exact time of each tremor, its magnitude, depth, and epicenter location, as well as know if there are movements reported in areas near cities such as Arica, Iquique, Antofagasta, Calama, La Serena, Coquimbo, Santiago, and Concepción. Since Chile is located in an interaction zone between the Nazca and South American tectonic plates, earthquakes are part of its geological dynamics and can occur in different points of the territory. We will continue to monitor the official records throughout the day to identify new events and their main characteristics, along with recommendations from the authorities to act in case of an emergency. Consult the updates and always cross-reference the information with official sources before sharing reports about possible damage or alerts. Report of the latest earthquakes in Chile today: time, magnitude and epicenter The CSN record allows following seismic activity in the north, center, and other areas of Chilean territory. Among the movements reported during the first hours of Sunday, the following stand out: | Local Time | Reference Epicenter | Magnitude | Depth | |---|---|---|---| | 5:39 a.m. | 95 km NE of El Salvador | 2.9 | 100 km | | 4:56 a.m. | 60 km SO of Patache | 2.9 | 20 km | | 4:36 a.m. | 32 km W of Cobquecura | 3.4 | 23 km | | 4:25 a.m. | 71 km W of Arica | 3.3 | 32 km | | 2:29 a.m. | 61 km N of San Pedro de Atacama | 2.7 | 213 km | | 2:05 a.m. | 8 km S of Monte Patria | 2.5 | 69 km | | 1:21 a.m. | 54 km SE of Socaire | 3.0 | 226 km | | 12:47 p.m. | 64 km SO of Ollagüe | 2.5 | 140 km | | 12:01 p.m. | 63 km S of Patache | 2.8 | 73 km | Important: the table includes the records available in the query and does not necessarily represent all the earthquakes of the day. The information may be updated. To confirm the most recent events, check the CSN catalog. Why does it shake so much in Chile? Chile's seismic activity is mainly related to the convergence between the Nazca plate and the South American plate. The former is subducting beneath the latter in a geological process known as subduction, which accumulates tension and causes the release of energy in the form of seismic waves. This mechanism explains why earthquakes of different magnitudes are recorded throughout the territory, from the north to the south. It also explains the possibility of large magnitude earthquakes, especially in coastal margin sectors where ruptures of the interface between the two plates occur. According to the information from the National Seismological Center, interplate earthquakes can generate significant displacements of the ocean floor and, under certain circumstances, cause tsunamis. Where do the areas and cities in Chile with the most earthquakes occur? The distribution of earthquakes is not uniform. Northern Chile, part of the central zone, and different sectors of the coast present significant seismic activity due to their relationship with plate boundaries and geological faults. Among the cities and localities to consider when consulting seismic reports are: - Arica and Iquique: in the north, near active sectors of the subduction margin. - Pica, Pozo Almonte, and Huara: localities in the Tarapacá Region situated in an area with frequent seismic activity. - Calama, Antofagasta, and San Pedro de Atacama: in the large north, where earthquakes associated with subduction as well as movements in the continental interior are recorded. - Copiapó and El Salvador: in the Atacama Region, an area that also records seismic activity. - La Serena, Coquimbo, and Ovalle: in the Coquimbo Region, exposed to the activity of the continental margin. - Santiago, Valparaíso, and Rancagua: in the central zone, where the effects of an earthquake depend on its magnitude, depth, distance, and local conditions. - Concepción, Talcahuano, and Cobquecura: in the central-south zone, with antecedents of large earthquakes and coastal seismic activity. - Valdivia and Puerto Montt: in the south, within a region marked by a significant seismic history. This list serves as a geographical reference, not as a statistical classification of the cities with the most earthquakes. To establish which localities concentrate the most events during a given period, it is necessary to compare the CSN records by location and date. The most important earthquakes in Chile: historical context Chilean seismic history demonstrates that the country is exposed to large magnitude earthquakes. Two of the most outstanding episodes are the Valdivia earthquake of 1960 and the Maule earthquake of 2010. - Valdivia earthquake of 1960: reached a moment magnitude of 9.5 and is recognized as the largest instrumentally recorded earthquake in the world. - Maule earthquake of 2010: occurred on February 27 and reached a moment magnitude of 8.8, with serious consequences in the central-southern region of the country. These precedents help to understand why seismic prevention, earthquake-resistant construction, and alert and evacuation systems are fundamental in Chile. However, the occurrence of small tremors does not allow predicting when a large magnitude earthquake will happen. What to do during an earthquake in Chile? Recommendations from SENAPRED The National Service for Disaster Prevention and Response (SENAPRED) recommends identifying safe places beforehand, securing objects that can fall, and establishing a family emergency plan. Before an earthquake - Identify the protection zones of your home, study center, or workplace. - Secure furniture, shelves, and other objects that can topple over. - Prepare an emergency kit with water, non-perishable food, flashlight, radio, batteries, necessary medicines, and essential documents. - Agree on a meeting point and a means of communication with your family. - Find out about tsunami evacuation routes if you live, work, or visit coastal areas. During the seismic movement - Remain calm and protect yourselves in a safe place, away from windows and objects that can fall. - If possible, take cover under a sturdy piece of furniture and hold on until the movement stops. - If you are in the street, move away from buildings, poles, electrical cables, and elements that can detach. - If you are driving, reduce speed and stop in a safe place, avoiding bridges, tunnels, and vulnerable structures. - Do not use elevators while the emergency is ongoing. After the earthquake - Check if there are injured people and ask for help if necessary. - Move away from damaged structures and pay attention to possible aftershocks. - If you smell gas or detect damage in the facilities, avoid lighting flames or operating switches. - Follow the instructions of the authorities and consult only official sources. - If you are on the coast and the earthquake makes it difficult to stand, evacuate immediately to high ground and follow official instructions regarding tsunami risk. You can consult the complete recommendations in the SENAPRED earthquake section. Can a tsunami occur after an earthquake in Chile? Yes. Some earthquakes can generate tsunamis when they cause a significant displacement of the seabed. Not all earthquakes cause this phenomenon: the risk depends on factors such as magnitude, rupture mechanism, location, and displacement of the ocean floor. If you are in a coastal area and the movement is so strong that it makes it difficult to stand, do not wait for confirmation on social media: evacuate immediately to high ground or safe areas following the established routes. You must also pay attention to official alerts from SENAPRED and maritime authorities. Where to consult the latest earthquakes in Chile in real time? To know the time, magnitude, depth, and epicenter reference of the latest earthquakes, the main source of consultation is the National Seismological Center of the University of Chile. Its records may change as new signals are processed and the parameters of each event are reviewed. It is also important to distinguish between seismic information and emergency instructions: the CSN provides technical data on telluric movements, while SENAPRED communicates recommendations, alerts, and protection measures for the population. Earthquake in Mina Collahuasi