Archive · 21 Aug 2026
Peru Hit by 6.7-Magnitude Quake With Limited Damage
A strong earthquake shook Peru on Thursday afternoon.
Scientists in the United States measured it at magnitude 6.7, while Peru’s institute measured it at 7.2.
The earthquake began deep underground in the Ayacucho region.
People felt the shaking in several parts of Peru, including Lima.
The shaking was not very strong in the capital.
At least 22 homes, six schools and six health centers were affected.
Two people were hurt when they fell while leaving buildings.
A smaller earthquake happened in the same area later that day.
Officials said the earthquake’s great depth helped limit the damage.
A 6.7-magnitude earthquake struck Peru just after 1 p.m. Thursday, according to the US Geological Survey.
Peru’s Geophysical Institute measured the quake at 7.2 and placed its depth at more than 108 kilometers.
The epicenter was in Parinacochas province, in the southern Andean region of Ayacucho.
At least 22 homes, six schools and six health facilities were affected, while two people were injured during evacuation.
A 4.2-magnitude aftershock hit the same Ayacucho region about three and a half hours later; no mining incidents were reported.
- Who
- Residents and authorities in Peru, including civil-defense officials and Housing Minister Mauricio Arnillas González, responded to the earthquake.
- What
- A strong earthquake struck Peru, causing limited reported damage and two evacuation-related injuries, followed by a smaller tremor.
- When
- Thursday just after 1 p.m. local time; another 4.2-magnitude tremor occurred about three and a half hours later.
- Where
- The epicenter was in Parinacochas province, Ayacucho, in southern Peru; shaking was also felt in Lima and other parts of the country.
- Why
- The earthquake caused shaking across the region, but its depth of more than 108 kilometers helped limit its impact.
- USGS magnitude
- 6.7
- Peru Geophysical Institute magnitude
- 7.2
- Depth
- More than 108 kilometers (67 miles)
- Epicenter
- Parinacochas province, Ayacucho
- Reported affected homes
- At least 22
- Affected public facilities
- About six schools and six health facilities
- Reported injuries
- Two people injured while evacuating
- Later tremor
- Magnitude 4.2, in the same Ayacucho region