2025 Chimbote earthquake

2025 Chimbote earthquake

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UTC  time	2025-12-28 02:51:50
ISC  event	644879848
USGS-ANSS	ComCat
Local date	27 December 2025 (2025-12-27)
Local time	21:51:50 PET (UTC-5)
Magnitude	6.2 Mw (USGS) [1] 6.0 (IGP) [2]
Depth	66.4 kilometres (41.3 mi) (USGS) [3] 51 kilometres (32 mi) (IGP) [4]
Epicenter	9°05′S79°11′W / 9.09°S 79.19°W / -9.09; -79.19 67 km west of Chimbote, Ancash Region, Peru [4]
Areas affected	Ancash Department, La Libertad Department, and Lima Department
Max. intensity	MMI V (Moderate)
Casualties	53 injuries

On December 27, 2025, at 21:51:50 PET (02:51 UTC on December 28), an earthquake measuring M_w 6.2 according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS) and 6.0 according to the Geophysical Institute of Peru (IGP) ^{[3] [4]} hit northern Peru. The epicenter was located in the Pacific Ocean, approximately 67 km west of Chimbote in the Ancash Department of northern coastal Peru. ^[4]

Impact

The earthquake was felt strongly across northern and central Peru, from Piura Department in the north to the Lima metropolitan area in the south, registering V (Moderate) on the Modified Mercalli intensity scale in Chimbote. ^[5] It followed a magnitude 4.8 foreshock near Supe the previous day. ^[6] The Peruvian Navy's Directorate of Hydrography and Navigation ruled out any tsunami threat. ^[7]

The quake caused widespread panic, with residents evacuating buildings. ^[8] Significant damage was reported in Chimbote and nearby areas, including:

• Cracks, fallen tiles, and structural issues at Hospital La Caleta in Chimbote. ^[9]
• Damage to a health center and supermarkets such as Plaza Vea. ^[10]
• Several adobe houses destroyed or damage. ^[11]
• Rockfalls on the Coishco bridge along national route PE-1N. ^[12]
• Damage to a religious temple and a school in La Libertad Department. ^[12]

Power outages occurred in Chimbote, and phenomena such as triboluminescence were observed. ^[13] At least 53 people were injured across the affected regions, primarily in Áncash and La Libertad, with some requiring hospitalization. ^[14]

Several aftershocks followed, including one of magnitude 5.1 on December 28. ^[15]

Reactions

The earthquake interrupted live broadcasts by journalists and streamers, who urged viewers to remain calm. ^[16] Peruvian president José Jerí posted on X calling for calm among the population. ^[17]

Authorities from the Instituto Nacional de Defensa Civil (INDECI) and regional emergency centers conducted assessments and emphasized preparedness. ^[12]

See also

• List of earthquakes in 2025
• List of earthquakes in Peru
• 1970 Ancash earthquake

References

1. "M 6.2 - 36 km W of Puerto Santa, Peru". United States Geological Survey. Retrieved 2025-12-29.
2. "Reporte Sísmico IGP/CENSIS/RS 2025-0829". Instituto Geofísico del Perú. Retrieved 2025-12-29.
3. "M 6.2 - 36 km W of Puerto Santa, Peru". United States Geological Survey. Retrieved 2025-12-29.
4. "Reporte Sísmico IGP/CENSIS/RS 2025-0829". Instituto Geofísico del Perú. Retrieved 2025-12-29.
5. "Instituto Geofísico del Perú: sismo de magnitud 6.0 fue percibido desde Piura hasta Lima". Andina. 2025-12-27. Retrieved 2025-12-29.
6. "Último temblor en Lima: estas son las zonas donde se sintió el sismo de magnitud 4.8". Infobae. 2025-12-27. Retrieved 2025-12-29.
7. "Temblor en Perú hoy: sismo de magnitud 6.0 en Chimbote alarmó a limeños". Andina. 2025-12-27. Retrieved 2025-12-29.
8. "Videos y fotos del fuerte sismo de 6.0 en Chimbote: terror, angustia y negocios afectados". Infobae. 2025-12-28. Retrieved 2025-12-29.
9. "Sismos en Perú EN VIVO: último reporte del IGP, balance de heridos y daños en Chimbote y La Libertad". Infobae. 2025-12-29. Retrieved 2025-12-29.
10. "Fuerte sismo de 6.0 en Chimbote: daños y gran susto". América TV. 2025-12-28. Retrieved 2025-12-29.
11. "Viviendas dañadas y heridos en La Libertad dejó sismo de magnitud 6,0 registrado en Áncash". La República. 2025-12-28. Retrieved 2025-12-29.
12. "REPORTE COMPLEMENTARIO N.° 13860 - SISMO DE MAGNITUD 6.0 CON EPICENTRO EN EL MAR A 67 KM AL O DE CHIMBOTE - ANCASH". INDECI. Retrieved 2025-12-29.
13. "Sismos en Perú EN VIVO: último reporte del IGP, balance de heridos y daños en Chimbote y La Libertad". Infobae. 2025-12-29. Retrieved 2025-12-29.
14. "Sismo de 6,0 en Chimbote dejó 53 heridos en La Libertad y Áncash, y provocó daños en hospitales". La República. 2025-12-28. Retrieved 2025-12-29.
15. "Evento Registrado - Instituto Geofísico del Perú". IGP. Retrieved 2025-12-29.
16. "Streamer fue sorprendida por el fuerte temblor de 6.0 en plena transmisión en vivo". Infobae. 2025-12-28. Retrieved 2025-12-29.
17. "Ciudadana brinda testimonio tras sismo de magnitud 6.0 en Chimbote". Exitosa Noticias. Retrieved 2025-12-29.