Strong M6.7 earthquake hits Ayacucho, Peru
A strong earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.7 hit Ayacucho, Peru, at 18:00 UTC on August 20, 2026. The agency is reporting a depth of 66.7 km (41.4 miles). EMSC is reporting M6.7 at a depth of 70 km (43.5 miles). According to the NWS Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC), there is no tsunami threat from this earthquake.
Epicenter of M6.7 earthquake in central Peru on August 20, 2026. Credit: TW/SAM, Google
The epicenter was located 38 km (24 miles) NW of Upahuacho (population 191), 56 km (35 miles) E of Puquio (population 10 491), 111 km (69 miles) SSW of Andahuaylas (population 17 444), 136 km (85 miles) SW of Abancay (population 72 277), and 144 km (90 miles) E of Nazca (population 23 556), Peru.
35 000 people are estimated to have felt strong shaking, 197 000 moderate, 2 million light, and 57 000 weak.
Based on all available data, there is no tsunami threat from this earthquake, NWS PTWC reported at 18:06 UTC.
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.
Landslides triggered by this earthquake are estimated to be limited in number and/or spatial extent. The number of people living near areas that could have produced landslides is low, but landslide damage or fatalities are still possible in highly susceptible areas.
Little or no liquefaction is expected, but some liquefaction could have occurred in highly susceptible areas. The number of people living near areas that could have produced liquefaction is low, but liquefaction damage or fatalities are still possible in highly susceptible areas.
Estimated population exposure to earthquake shaking
Selected cities exposed
Regional seismicity
References:
1 M6.7 earthquake 38 km NW of Upahuacho, Peru – USGS – August 20, 2026
2 M6.7 earthquake Central Peru – EMSC – August 20, 2026
Teo Blašković founded The Watchers in 2011 and edited it until 2026, covering seismic and volcanic activity, extreme weather, space weather and near-Earth objects. Articles on this page are his archive.
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