A series of earthquakes rattled parts of Chile on Sunday, February 15, 2026, with most tremors going unnoticed by residents. The country’s location on the boundary between the Nazca and South American tectonic plates makes it prone to seismic activity, as the movement of these plates causes vibrations in the Earth’s crust.
The National Seismological Center of the University of Chile is tracking the recent seismic events, providing crucial information for public safety. Here’s a breakdown of the earthquakes reported throughout the day:
At 1:36 PM local time, a magnitude 3.1 earthquake struck 68 miles northeast of Socaire at a depth of 157 miles. Earlier, at 12:07 PM, a magnitude 3.3 tremor occurred 35 miles southeast of Socaire, registering at a depth of 137 miles.
A magnitude 3.0 earthquake was recorded at 11:43 AM, located 27 miles northwest of Mina La Escondida at a depth of 63 miles. Shortly after, at 11:35 AM, a magnitude 3.2 quake hit 28 miles northeast of Calama, with an epicenter 52 miles below the surface.
The most significant event of the day occurred at 11:16 AM, registering a magnitude 4.0 and centered 15 miles northwest of Mina La Escondida at a depth of 55 miles. Earlier in the day, at 10:45 AM, a magnitude 4.2 earthquake struck 12 miles northwest of Canela Baja, at a relatively shallow depth of 21 miles.
Earlier tremors included a magnitude 3.8 earthquake at 8:54 AM, 45 miles east of Paposo at a depth of 37 miles, and a magnitude 3.0 quake at 8:22 AM, 21 miles south of Constitución, at a depth of 15 miles.
At 7:18 AM, a magnitude 4.4 earthquake was detected 29 miles southwest of Mina Collahuasi, at a depth of 75 miles. A magnitude 3.9 quake struck at 6:14 AM, two miles northwest of Putre, at a depth of 67 miles.
Several smaller earthquakes were also recorded: a magnitude 3.4 at 5:36 AM, 7 miles northwest of Punitaqui at a depth of 27 miles; a magnitude 3.8 at 4:16 AM, 21 miles west of Ancud at a depth of 17 miles; a magnitude 4.1 at 2:32 AM, 45 miles southwest of Ollagüe at a depth of 79 miles; and a magnitude 3.3 at 12:15 AM, 43 miles southeast of Socaire at a depth of 129 miles.
What to do during an earthquake
The National Emergency Prevention and Response Service (Senapred) has issued guidelines for public safety during seismic events. These recommendations are crucial for minimizing risk and ensuring personal well-being.
Senapred advises individuals to remain calm and seek shelter during an earthquake. Key recommendations include:
- Stay calm and find a safe place to shelter.
- Protect yourself under a sturdy object. If that’s not possible, stay next to one.
- Turn off electricity and close the water and gas valves.
- If outdoors, move away from buildings, utility poles, and power lines.
- If at a mass event, stay in place and protect your head and neck with your arms, following 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.
