A series of earthquakes of varying intensity were recorded across Chile on Saturday, March 7, 2026. Although most of the tremors were imperceptible, the events underscore Chile’s location on a highly seismically active zone.
Chile sits on the boundary between the Nazca and South American tectonic plates, and the movement of these plates frequently causes vibrations in the Earth’s crust. The National Seismological Center of the University of Chile is tracking recent seismic activity across the country.
Here’s a summary of the earthquakes reported by Sismología:
3:29 PM
A magnitude 3.0 earthquake occurred 25 miles west of Punta de Choros at a depth of 25.7 miles.
2:34 PM
A magnitude 3.3 earthquake struck 28.6 miles northeast of Pica at a depth of 69.4 miles.
11:26 AM
A magnitude 3.3 earthquake was recorded 22.4 miles south of Mina Collahuasi at a depth of 73.7 miles.
5:04 AM
A magnitude 3.2 earthquake occurred 4.3 miles southwest of Parque Fray Jorge at a depth of 26.1 miles.
What to do during an earthquake
The National Emergency Prevention and Response Service (Senapred) has issued recommendations for staying safe during a seismic event. These guidelines are intended to help residents react effectively to earthquake activity.
Senapred suggests the following:
- Stay calm and seek a safe place.
- Protect yourself under a sturdy object. If that’s not possible, stay next to one.
- Turn off electricity and shut off water and gas valves.
- If you are outdoors, move away from buildings, utility poles, and power lines.
- If you are at a mass gathering, stay in place and protect your head and neck with your arms. Follow the instructions of security personnel.
- If driving in a tunnel, on a bridge, or on a highway, slow down and stop after exiting the area.
