How frequent are earthquakes in Peru?

Peru has a high level of seismic activity. Based on data from the past 25 years and our earthquake archive back to 1900, there are about 926 quakes on average per year in Peru. Peru has had at least 5 quakes above magnitude 8 since 1900, which suggests that larger earthquakes of this size occur infrequently, probably on average approximately every 23 to 27 years.

How many earthquakes occur every year in Peru?

On average, Peru has about 853 quakes of magnitude 3 or higher per year (Mag 4+: 487 quakes per year, Mag 5+: 31.4 quakes per year, Mag 6+: 2.7 quakes per year).

Volcanoes of Peru (21)

Go to: Eruptions FAQ Quakes News

Peru's volcanoes belong to the subduction zone of the eastern Pacific's Nazca Plate beneath South America all along the west coast of Peru. However, only in southern Peru there are active volcanoes. The rest of the country's cordillera belongs to a volcanically inactive gap, where the subduction is at such a shallow angle that magma is not generated by the process.

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Significant volcanic eruptions: Peru

In historic times, at least 5 volcanoes have been active in Peru, including Ubinas, Sabancaya, and El Misti volcanoes. A total of 39 eruptions have been witnessed and documented since around 1454 AD.
The table below lists the most recent volcanic eruptions, significant eruptive episodes or related events in Peru since 1900.

Date	Volcano	VEI	Region	Damage
2016 Nov 6 - ongoing	Sabancaya Sabancaya crater	3	Peru
2024 May 6 -	Ubinas	?	Peru
2023 Jun 22 - Dec 15	Ubinas	3	Peru
2019 Jun 24 - Sep 12	Ubinas	2	Peru
2016 Sep 13 - 2017 Mar 2	Ubinas Summit crater	2	Peru
2013 Sep 1 - 2016 Feb 27	Ubinas Summit crater	2	Peru
2015 Mar 8 - Dec 12	Sabancaya Summit crater	1	Peru
2013 Sep 1 (eruption 2013 Sep 1 - 2016 Feb 27)	Ubinas	0	Peru	light	Info
2013 Sep 1: People in Peru are being relocated from villages that are being affected by dangerous ash from a volcano eruption. Authorities are distributing masks and have given themselves a 60-day period to relocate villagers from areas where ash is damaging crops and polluting water sources. The explosions have sent a plume of smoke rising to 2500 meters above the crater, according to volcanologists at the Geophysical Institute of Peru. The first explosion on the night of September 1 was strong and followed by a series of lesser blasts, seismologist Victor Aguilar of the Geophysical Institute of the University of San Agustin de Arequipa told AFP. (reference #10739) According to a news source, IGP reported that a seventh phreatic explosion from Ubinas occurred just after 1800 on 4 September; six explosions were recorded between 1 and 3 September. The explosion caused alarmed residents of Querapi, 4 km S, to temporarily leave their homes and congregate in the town square. (reference #2432) Cited references #2432 Venzke, E., R.W. Wunderman, L. McClelland, T. Simkin, J.F. Luhr, L. Siebert, and G. Mayberry (eds.) (2002-): Global Volcanism, 1968 to the Present. Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program Digital Information Series, GVP-4 (http://www.volcano.si.edu/reports/). #10739 SkyNews (2013): Volcano prompts Peru emergency. Updated: 23:53, Friday September 13, 2013. Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K
2006 Mar 25 ? - 2009 Jul 4 ?	Ubinas	2	Peru
2003 Jul 30 ±1 d. - Jul 31 ?	Sabancaya	2?	Peru
2000 Apr 16 ±15 d. - Oct 29 or later	Sabancaya	2	Peru
1990 May 28 - 1998 Sep 16 ±15 d.	Sabancaya	3	Peru
1990 May 29 (eruptive episode 1990 May 28)	Coropuna	3	Peru	light	Info
1990 May 29: Start Date: 1990 May 28, Stop Date: 1998 Sep (?). Eruptive Characteristics: Central vent eruption, Explosive eruption, Phreatic explosion(s), Damage (land, property, etc.), Mudflow(s) (lahars), Evacuation. (reference #2432) Cited references #2432 Venzke, E., R.W. Wunderman, L. McClelland, T. Simkin, J.F. Luhr, L. Siebert, and G. Mayberry (eds.) (2002-): Global Volcanism, 1968 to the Present. Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program Digital Information Series, GVP-4 (http://www.volcano.si.edu/reports/). Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K
1988 Jun 22 - Oct 16 ±15 d.	Sabancaya	1	Peru
1986 Dec 16 ±15 d.	Sabancaya	1	Peru
1985 Jul 2 ±182 d.	El Misti	1?	Peru
1969 Jun 16 ±15 d.	Ubinas	2?	Peru
1956 May 16 ±15 d. - Oct 21	Ubinas	2	Peru
1951 Jul 23 ±8 d.	Ubinas	2	Peru
1937 Jun	Ubinas	2	Peru
1907	Ubinas	2	Peru
1906 Oct	Ubinas	2	Peru

Remark:

Our list of volcanic eruptions closely follows the database of eruptions of the Smithsonian's Global Volcanism Project (GVP), the internationally most recognized data source for volcanic eruptions, but also includes significant eruptive episodes or related volcano events. "Volcanic eruptions" are usually to be understood as sequences of individual eruptive episodes that can follow each other, or even overlap (if several vents are involved), and can last many years, decades or even longer. For example, the current activity of Stromboli volcano is understood as a single eruption that has been ongoing since 1934.

Sources: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Volcanic Eruptions Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K | Global Volcanism Project / Smithsonian Institution

Peru FAQ

+When was the last volcanic eruption in Peru?

The last volcanic eruption in Peru was from Ubinas volcano in 2024.

+When was the first documented volcanic eruption in Peru?

The first historically documented eruption occurred around 1454 AD from El Misti volcano.

+How often do volcanoes in Peru erupt?

Since 1454 AD, Peru has seen at least 39 historically documented eruptions. This means that a volcano erupts on average every 14.6 years.

+How active are the volcanoes in Peru?

Peru is volcanically relatively active: Since 1900, at least 3 volcanoes in Peru have been active.Since 1900, Peru has had 20 volcanic eruptions from 3 individual volcanoes. Volcanic eruptions have been recorded erupted during 37 years out of 126 as of now. This means, at least one volcano in Peru has been in eruption in one in 3.4 years on average. The last volcano to erupt in Peru was Ubinas volcano, which erupted in 2024, 9 months ago.

+When was the largest volcanic eruption in Peru?

The largest eruption in Peru in historic times was from Huaynaputina volcano. It occurred in 1600 AD. It ranks as a plinian eruption with a magnitude 6 on the VEI (Volcanic Explosivity Index) scale. Eruption of this size are often catastrophic on a regional scale.

Latest earthquakes: Peru

In the past 7 days, Peru was shaken by 7 quakes of magnitude 4.0 or above, 10 quakes between 3.0 and 4.0, and 1 quake of magnitude .

A Magnitude 4.6 earthquake occurred in Central Peru .

Magnitude 4.6 Earthquake Central Peru -

Date and Time	Mag / Depth	Nearest Volcano / Location
Mar 26, 05:06 am (Lima)	4.6 127 km	505 km (314 mi) N of Sara Sara	Central Peru I FELT IT	Info
Mar 26, 04:29 am (GMT -5)	4.0 116 km	62 km (39 mi) SW of Huambo	Near Coast of Southern Peru I FELT IT	Info
Tuesday, March 25, 2025 GMT (1 quake)
Mar 25, 05:18 am (GMT -5)	4.0 29 km	306 km (190 mi) S of Sangay	Northern Peru I FELT IT	Info
Sunday, March 23, 2025 GMT (1 quake)
Mar 23, 10:32 am (Lima)	4.1 15 km	481 km (299 mi) SE of Sangay	Northern Peru I FELT IT	Info
Friday, March 21, 2025 GMT (2 quakes)
Mar 21, 11:26 am (GMT -5)	4.1 29 km	635 km (395 mi) S of Sangay	Near Coast of Northern Peru I FELT IT	Info
Mar 20, 08:04 pm (Lima)	4.6 10 km	15 km (9.3 mi) N of Sabancaya	6 km SW of Madrigal, Peru I FELT IT - 2 reports	Info

See Recent Quakes

Significant Earthquakes in Peru since 1900

The deadliest earthquake in Peru since 1900 was the magnitude 7.9 earthquake in

Peru on May, 31, 1970. It resulted in 66,794 fatalities and 50,000 injured people. A tsunami was generated by the quake as well and contributed to its desctuctive effects. This was the most disastrous quake in Peru ever recorded. This was also the most damaging earthquake that occurred in this time: total economic losses were estimated to the equivalent of $530 million US Dollars. Between 100-1,000 houses and other buildings were destroyed and between 100-1,000 damaged.

Date	Mag	Region	Deaths	Damage
2007 Aug 15	8.0	Ica, Pisco, Lima	514	very heavy	Info
2001 Jun 23	8.4	Arequipa, Moquegua, Tacna, Ayacucho	103	very heavy	Info
1991 Jul 23	4.7	Maca, Chivay, Yanque	92	moderate	Info
1991 Apr 5	6.7	Rioja, Moyobamba, Nueva Cajamarca	53	heavy	Info
1990 May 30	6.5	Moyabamba-riojo	200	light	Info
1974 Oct 3	8.1	Lima, Callao	78	heavy	Info
1970 Dec 10	7.6	N; Ecuador S	82	moderate	Info
1970 May 31	7.9	Northern, Pisco, Chiclayo	66,794	very heavy	Info
1969 Oct 1	6.2	Huaytapallana, Lampa, Chilifruta	150	moderate	Info
1966 Oct 17	8.1	Lima, Huacho, Huaura, Chancay, Supe, San Nicolas	110	heavy	Info
1960 Nov 20	6.7	Peru	66	unknown	Info
1960 Jan 15	7.0	Lima, Nazca, Ica, Huancavelic, Palpa, Huaitara	63	light	Info
1960 Jan 13	7.8	Arequipa, Chuquibamba, Caraveli, Cotahuasi	63	heavy	Info
1950 May 21	6.0	Cusco	83	heavy	Info
1947 Nov 1	7.3	Satipo, Andamarca, Acobamba, La Merced, Victoc	233	heavy	Info
1946 Nov 10	7.3	Jocaibamba, Cerro Angaschaj, Cerro Sillapata	800	heavy	Info
1943 Jan 31	5.0	Yanacoa, Pampamarca	75	light	Info
1940 May 24	8.2	Peru	179	heavy	Info
1913 Nov 4	6.3	Amyaraes, Abancay, Casaya, Soraya	150	heavy	Info
1913 Aug 6	7.9	Caraveli, Chuquibamba, Ocona, Atico	50-100 (*)	heavy	Info
1912 Jul 24	7.0	Huancabamba, Cajamarca; Ecuador Guayaquil	100-1,000 (*)	heavy	Info

(*) Estimated numbers

Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K

All Quakes in History

Map

Oldest quakes (until 1960) are shown in yellow, most recent (from 2000) in red.

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Significant Earthquakes in Peru FAQ

+Which was the deadliest earthquake in Peru since 1900?

The deadliest earthquake in Peru since 1900 was the magnitude 7.9 earthquake in Peru on May, 31, 1970. It resulted in 66,794 fatalities and 50,000 injured people. A tsunami was generated by the quake as well and contributed to its desctuctive effects. This was the most disastrous quake in Peru ever recorded.

+How many people were killed by earthquakes in Peru since 1900?

Since 1900, at least 75 earthquakes claimed an estimated total of 71,000 fatalities in Peru.

+How much damage did earthquakes cause in Peru since 1900?

There were 99 damaging or deadly quakes during this period that caused economic losses of approx. $1.8 billion US Dollars combined.

Volcano List

Andahua-Orcopampa

(cinder cones 4713 m / 15,462 ft)

The Andahua-Orcopampa volcanic field is a 50 km x 30 km large field of monogenetic vents in the Andahua valley area, 20 km ENE of Nevados de Coropuna stratovolcano. It is known locally as the "Valley of the Volcanoes".
The field contains scoria cones and lava flows, some o... [more info]

Cerro Auquihuato

(cinder cone 4980? m / 16,338 ft)

Cerro Auquihuato volcano is a young, 380 m high cinder cone in southern Perú, located about 30 km NE of Sara Sara volcano and east of Río Ocona. The location on a high plateau is very remote and far from road access and little is known about the volcano.
Satellite images sh... [more info]

Cerro Nicholson

(stratovolcano 2520? m / 8,268 ft)

Cerro Nicholson volcano is a small isolated andesitic scoria cone in Southern Peru. It is located on a plain WSW of Chachani volcano and WNW of El Misti volcano.
The crater of the Cerro Nicholson cone has a youthful appearance and is full of fresh-looking volcanic bombs, s... [more info]

Cerro Pucara

(Volcanic field 4080 m / 13386 ft)

[more info]

Cerros Purupuruni

(Lava dome(s) 5315 m / 17438 ft)

[more info]

Coropuna

(stratovolcano 6377 m / 20,922 ft)

Nevado Coropuna volcano in southern Peru is the largest and highest active volcano in Peru. It rises majestically 4500 m from the surrounding terrain and forms an 10x20 km E-W elongated complex.
The massive ice-covered complex has at least 6 summit cones. The flanks of the... [more info]

El Misti

(stratovolcano 5822 m / 19,101 ft)

The majestic El Misti volcano is Peru's most known and one of its most active volcanoes. It is an andesitic symmetrical stratovolcano that dominates the town of Arequipa, only 16 km to the SW, and its proximity to Peru's second largest city as well its history of explosive erupti... [more info]

Huambo

(volcanic field 4550? m / 14,928 ft)

Huambo is a monogenetic volcanic field in southern Peru, SSE of the Andahua-Orcocampo volcanic field and west of Sabancaya volcano.
The Huambo field is divided into 2 segments. The southern part contains several cinder cones and associated lava flows, some of which might be... [more info]

Huambutillo-Rumicola

(Unknown unknown)

[more info]

Huaynaputina

(stratovolcano 4850 m / 15,912 ft)

Huaynaputina volcano (its name meaning "new volcano") is a small volcano located in southern Peru 26 km south of Ubinas volcano. It was the site of the largest historical eruption in South America, which occurred in 1600 and erupted an estimated 30 cubic km of dacitic tephra, inc... [more info]

Nevado Chachani

(stratovolcano 6057 m / 19,997 ft)

Nevado Chachani is a large stratovolcano in southern Peru, 25 km from Arequipa, Peru's 2nd largest city. The volcano is covered by permanent ice and snow. [more info]

Nevados Casiri

(stratovolcano 5650 m / 18,537 feet)

Nevados Casiri (also known as Paugarani) volcano in southern Peru near the Chilean border in a sparsely populated and remote part of the cordillera, about 25 km north of Tacora volcano.
The youngest crater has been active during the past 10,000 years and is well preserved. ... [more info]

Nevados Firura

(Stratovolcano(es) 5498 m / 18038 ft)

[more info]

Quimsachata

(lava domes & cones 3923 m / 12,871 ft)

Quimsachata (Kimsachata) is the northernmost active volcano in Peru and located at the foot of the Cordillera Oriental in an isolated area far east of the main volcanic front.
It sonsists a group of 2 vents: Quimsachata, an older andesitic cinder cone surrounded by a lava ... [more info]

Sabancaya

(stratovolcano 5967 m / 19,577 ft)

Sabancaya volcano (its name meaning "tongue of fire" in Quechua Indian language) is located in the southern Peruvian Andes and one of Peru's most active volcanoes.
The stratovolcano is covered with several glaciers and located in the saddle between the older stratovolcanoe... [more info]

Sara Sara

(stratovolcano 5522 m / 18,117 ft)

Sara Sara volcano is a glacier-covered stratovolcano in SW Perú, located between Laguna Parinacocha and the Río Ocona. It is the westernmost of Peru's active volcanoes.
the volcano has erupted large andesitic lava flows that extended 10 km eastward into the Río Ocona valle.... [more info]

Solimana

(Stratovolcano 6093 m / 19990 ft)

[more info]

Ticsani

(lava domes 5408 m / 17,743 ft)

Ticsani is a complex of 3 dacitic lava domes in southern Peru in the Ichuna district across the Río Tambo about 30 km SE of Huaynaputina volcano.
The volcano has a youthful appearance and is not covered by glaciers.
There are no historical eruptions known from Ticsan... [more info]

Tutupaca

(stratovolcano 5815 m / 19,078 ft)

Tutupaca volcano in southern Perú consists of 2 main volcanic edifices. It has been active in the past 10,000 years, producing lava flows from vents on the saddle between the northern and southern parts.
Historical eruptions are uncertain and the ones listed for the past ce... [more info]

Ubinas

(Stratovolcano 5672 m (18,609 ft))

Ubinas is Peru's most active volcano. A small, 1.4-km-wide caldera cuts the top of the volcano. The steep-walled, 150-m-deep summit caldera contains an ash cone with a 500-m-wide and 200 m deep crater Debris-avalanche deposits from the collapse of the SE flank of Ubinas about 370... [more info]

Yucamane

(stratovolcano 5550 m / 18,208 ft)

Yucamane is an active andesitic stratovolcano in southern Perú at the southern end of a group of 3 volcanoes (including Tutupaca and Cerro Caliente volcanoes to the north).
Eruptions at the volcano have produced lava flows, airfall deposits, pyroclastic flows and surges (ma... [more info]

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Volcano news

Wed, 5 Mar 2025, 15:00

Ubinas volcano (Peru) - Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report for 26 February-4 March 2025 (Continuing Activity)

The Instituto Geofísico del Perú (IGP) reported that a lahar carrying blocks descended the Volcánmayo drainage on the SE flank of Ubinas at 1727 on 26 February. The public was warned to stay away from the drainage and to avoid driving on the Querapi-Ubinas-Huarina highway. The Alert Level remained at Yellow (the second level on a four-color scale) and the public was warned to stay 2 km away from the crater. ... Read all

Wed, 5 Mar 2025, 15:00

Sabancaya volcano (Peru) - Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report for 26 February-4 March 2025 (Continuing Activity)

The Instituto Geofísico del Perú (IGP) reported no explosions, thermal anomalies, or significant deformation at Sabancaya during 24 February-2 March. Gas-and-steam plumes rose as high as 700 m above the summit and drifted W, SW, and NW. Sulfur dioxide emissions were at moderate levels, averaging 216 tons per day. ... Read all