M 4.2 - 55 km WSW of Ovalle, Chile
February 21, 2008 at 17:00:59 UTC
Depth: 37.60 km (Shallow)
Key Takeaway
This light earthquake (M4.2) occurred 18 years ago near 55 km WSW of Ovalle, Chile, at a depth of 37.60 km (shallow).
Light
PAGER Alert
Tsunami
Felt Reports
Event Details
| Magnitude | 4.2 md |
| Depth | 37.60 km (Shallow) |
| Location | -30.7020S, 71.7710W |
| Tsunami Warning | No |
| Significance | 271 / 3000 |
| Status | Reviewed |
| Network | us |
| USGS Event Page | View on USGS → |
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the magnitude of this earthquake?
This earthquake had a magnitude of 4.2, classified as "Light". Light earthquakes produce noticeable shaking but rarely cause damage.
How deep was this earthquake?
This earthquake occurred at a depth of 37.60 km, classified as "Shallow". Shallow earthquakes tend to cause more damage at the surface because the energy has less distance to travel before reaching buildings and infrastructure.
Where exactly did this earthquake occur?
This earthquake occurred near 55 km WSW of Ovalle, Chile, at coordinates -30.7020S, 71.7710W. The location is determined by analyzing seismic wave arrival times at multiple monitoring stations.
Were there aftershocks associated with this event?
Aftershock data for this specific event can be explored by viewing nearby recent earthquakes listed below on this page. Aftershocks are smaller earthquakes that occur in the same area following a larger event, and they can continue for days, weeks, or even months depending on the original earthquake's magnitude.
What does the magnitude of this earthquake mean in practical terms?
A magnitude 4.2 earthquake is classified as "Light" — these are commonly felt by people indoors but rarely cause any significant damage.
Nearby Recent Earthquakes
9 km NNW of Villa Basilio Nievas, Argentina
18 years ago · 97.70 km deep
75 km S of Calingasta, Argentina
18 years ago · 132.30 km deep
36 km SE of Calingasta, Argentina
18 years ago · 149.90 km deep
19 km SE of Calingasta, Argentina
18 years ago · 145.00 km deep
69 km WSW of San José de Jáchal, Argentina
18 years ago · 0.10 km deep
25 km W of La Ligua, Chile
18 years ago · 45.80 km deep
26 km WNW of La Ligua, Chile
18 years ago · 45.50 km deep
32 km W of Illapel, Chile
18 years ago · 44.30 km deep
49 km SE of Vicuña, Chile
18 years ago · 88.90 km deep
39 km ESE of Vicuña, Chile
18 years ago · 41.70 km deep
More Earthquakes in Chile
64 km SW of San Pedro de Atacama, Chile
1 day ago · 99.51 km deep
84 km SE of La Tirana, Chile
2 days ago · 106.23 km deep
43 km NW of Coquimbo, Chile
3 days ago · 40.55 km deep
43 km SW of Ovalle, Chile
3 days ago · 44.76 km deep
49 km N of La Serena, Chile
3 days ago · 43.10 km deep
101 km WNW of La Ligua, Chile
4 days ago · 10.00 km deep
89 km W of Vallenar, Chile
5 days ago · 22.80 km deep
28 km S of Camiña, Chile
6 days ago · 96.19 km deep
More M4.0-5.0 Earthquakes
24 km WSW of Dompu, Indonesia
2 hours ago · 137.35 km deep
21 km ENE of Sallique, Peru
11 hours ago · 41.95 km deep
16 km SSE of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, Russia
19 hours ago · 79.51 km deep
2 km SSE of Santa María Ixhuatán, Guatemala
20 hours ago · 10.00 km deep
148 km SSE of Vilyuchinsk, Russia
20 hours ago · 35.00 km deep
17 km ESE of Manay, Philippines
21 hours ago · 80.55 km deep
northern Mid-Atlantic Ridge
1 day ago · 10.00 km deep
61 km SSW of Ashkāsham, Afghanistan
1 day ago · 101.97 km deep
Data from the USGS Earthquake Hazards Program (ComCat). QuakeScan is not affiliated with the USGS. Event details may be updated as new data becomes available.