Ayacucho, August 21, 2026. A strong earthquake shook large parts of southern Peru on Thursday. The epicenter of the earthquake was in the Ayacucho region. According to current reports, several people were injured and houses, health facilities and a school were damaged. No fatalities have been reported so far.
IGP measures magnitude 7.2
According to the Instituto Geofísico del Perú (IGP), the earthquake occurred on August 20 at 1:00:16 PM local time. The epicenter was located about 35 kilometers north of Coracora in the province of Parinacochas in the Ayacucho department.
The IGP determined a magnitude of 7.2 and a depth of 108 kilometers. For Coracora, an intensity of III to IV was indicated.
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) arrived at a magnitude of 6.7 due to a different measurement and calculation method. Such deviations between different seismological services are not unusual when evaluating stronger earthquakes.
Earthquake felt in numerous regions of Peru
The earthquake was perceptible far beyond Ayacucho. It was particularly strongly felt in Coracora, Chumpi, Coronel Castañeda, Pacapausa, Pullo, Puyusca, San Francisco de Ravacayco and Upahuacho, among other places.
Perceptions were also reported from Ica, Nazca, Pisco, Apurímac, Arequipa, Cusco and Moquegua. Even in the capital Lima, about 650 kilometers away, the earthquake was felt. Many people left buildings as a precaution and went out into the streets.
Injuries and damage to buildings
While no major damage was initially known immediately after the earthquake, the balance changed with investigations in the affected areas.
According to authorities, at least 22 homes, six health facilities and one school were damaged. Affected areas include Puquio, Pullo, Coracora, Upahuacho, San Pedro and Pichari. In the vicinity of Coracora, rockfalls and falling rocks were also registered.
The first reports spoke of two injured people in Coracora who were injured during the evacuation. Newer reports mention three lightly injured people. There were also power outages affecting thousands of people.
Great depth apparently limited the impact
According to the IGP, the fact that an earthquake of this magnitude did not cause significantly more severe damage is mainly due to the great depth of the earthquake's focus.
The depth of more than 100 kilometers reduced the destructive effect on the Earth's surface. At the same time, it ensured that the seismic waves could be perceived over a very large area.
No tsunami danger
A tsunami warning was not issued. The Peruvian authorities ruled out such a danger after evaluating the earthquake. Due to the inland epicenter and the great depth, there was no immediate danger to the Pacific coast.
Peru is one of the most earthquake-prone countries in the world
Earthquakes are a geological everyday occurrence in Peru. The country lies on the Pacific Ring of Fire, one of the most seismically active regions on Earth. Off the Peruvian coast, the Nazca Plate slides under the South American Plate. This process is not only responsible for the formation of the Andes, but also regularly causes strong earthquakes.
The severe earthquake of Pisco and Ica in August 2007 remains particularly present in Peru. That earthquake reached a magnitude of 7.9 and claimed several hundred lives.
Authorities continue to inspect affected areas
Peruvian disaster relief authorities are continuing to inspect the affected communities. Especially in remote Andean regions, it can take some time until a complete picture of the damage is available.
According to the current status, despite its high magnitude, the strong earthquake of August 20 has not caused any fatalities or widespread severe destruction. However, the reported damage to homes and public infrastructure shows that the earthquake had a significant impact, especially in the Ayacucho region.