Strong M6.0 earthquake hits northern Peru
A strong earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.0 hit northern Peru at 11:20 UTC on April 1, 2026. The agency is reporting a depth of 108.8 km (67.6 miles). EMSC is reporting M6.0 at a depth of 115 km (71.5 miles).
Epicenter of M6.0 earthquake in northern Peru on April 1, 2026. Credit: TW/SAM, Google
The epicenter was located 27 km (17 miles) ESE of Picota (population 6 697), 52 km (32 miles) E of Bellavista (population 15 231), 67 km (42 miles) SSE of La Banda (population 24 932), 68 km (42.3 miles) ENE of Juanjuí (population 37 715), and 147 km (92 miles) SE of Moyobamba (population 50 073), Peru.
Approximately 973 000 people felt weak shaking, while over a million people felt light shaking, according to the USGS PAGER.
The USGS issued a Green alert for shaking-related fatalities and economic losses. There is a low likelihood of casualties and damage.
Overall, the population in this region resides in structures that are highly vulnerable to earthquake shaking, though some resistant structures exist. The predominant vulnerable building types are mud wall and reinforced/confined masonry construction.
Recent earthquakes in this area have caused secondary hazards such as landslides that might have contributed to losses.
Estimated population exposure to earthquake shaking
Selected cities exposed
Regional seismicity
References:
1 M6.0 earthquake northern Peru – USGS – April 1, 2026
2 M6.0 earthquake northern Peru – EMSC – April 1, 2026
Rishav Kothari is Editor-in-Chief of The Watchers, where he runs the newsroom and covers earthquakes, volcanoes, severe weather and space weather.
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