Moderate M 5.0 Earthquake Recorded 32 km Northeast of Barranca, Peru

What Happened

A moderate earthquake with a magnitude of 5.0 mb was recorded 32 km northeast of Barranca, Peru. The seismic event occurred on February 16, 2026, at 06:43:52 UTC. The earthquake has been reviewed by seismologists at the USGS.

Location Details

The earthquake was centered at coordinates 4.641°S and 76.4488°W. It originated at a depth of 115.023 km. This is classified as a deep earthquake (depth > 70km). Deep earthquakes typically cause less intense shaking at the surface than shallow events of the same magnitude, as the seismic waves lose energy while traveling to the surface.

Impact Assessment

At the time of reporting, there are no felt reports submitted to the USGS. No tsunami advisory, watch, or warning has been issued in connection with this event. There is currently no alert level color assigned to this earthquake in the source data.

What You Should Know

A magnitude 5.0 event is considered a moderate earthquake. While earthquakes of this size can cause damage to poorly constructed buildings, the significant depth of this specific event likely reduces the potential for surface impact. Residents in the region should remain aware of the possibility of aftershocks, which are routine following seismic activity of this magnitude.

Source

Information provided by the USGS Earthquake Hazards Program.