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Very strong mag. 6.8 earthquake - South Pacific Ocean, Provincia del Azuay, 49 km north of Machala, Ecuador, on Saturday, Mar 18, 2023 at 12:12 pm (GMT -5) -

Very strong mag. 6.8 earthquake - South Pacific Ocean, Provincia del Azuay, 49 km north of Machala, Ecuador, on Saturday, Mar 18, 2023 at 12:12 pm (GMT -5) Very strong mag. 6.8 earthquake - South Pacific Ocean, Provincia del Azuay, 49 km north of Machala, Ecuador, on Saturday, Mar 18, 2023 at 12:12 pm (GMT -5)

Very strong magnitude 6.8 earthquake at 66 km depth

18 Mar 17:17 UTC: First to report: VolcanoDiscovery after 5 minutes.
18 Mar 17:19: Now using data updates from GFZ
... [show all] ...
18 Mar 19:32: Hypocenter depth recalculated from 66.4 to 65.8 km (from 41 to 41 mi). Epicenter location corrected by 2.4 km (1.5 mi) towards ESE.
Update Sat, 18 Mar 2023, 17:39

Significant earthquake of magnitude 6.7 just reported 49 km northeast of Machala, Ecuador

6.7 quake 18 Mar 12:12 pm (GMT -5)
6.7 quake 18 Mar 12:12 pm (GMT -5)
An earthquake of magnitude 6.7 occurred only 26 minutes ago 49 km northeast of Machala, Ecuador, the United States Geological Survey reported.
The quake hit at a moderately shallow depth of 65.7 km beneath the epicenter near Machala, Cantón Machala, Provincia de El Oro, Ecuador, around noon on Saturday, March 18th, 2023, at 12:12 pm local time. The exact magnitude, epicenter, and depth of the quake might be revised within the next few hours or minutes as seismologists review data and refine their calculations, or as other agencies issue their report.
A second report was later issued by the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC), which listed it as a magnitude 6.7 earthquake as well. Other agencies reporting the same quake include Italy's National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV) at magnitude 6.6, Geoscience Australia (GeoAu) at magnitude 6.7, The Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology (IRIS) at magnitude 6.9, the citizen-seismograph network of RaspberryShake at magnitude 6.7, and the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ) at magnitude 6.7.
Based on the preliminary seismic data, the quake should have been widely felt by almost everyone in the area of the epicenter. It might have caused light to moderate damage.
Moderate shaking probably occurred in Balao (pop. 12,200) located 7 km from the epicenter, Naranjal (pop. 32,000) 28 km away, Machala (pop. 198,100) 49 km away, Pasaje (pop. 44,900) 53 km away, Guayaquil (pop. 1,952,000) 73 km away, Duran (pop. 167,800) 75 km away, San Francisco de Milagro (pop. 133,500) 83 km away, Cuenca (pop. 277,000) 89 km away, and Cuenca (pop. 277,000) 89 km away.
VolcanoDiscovery will automatically update magnitude and depth if these change and follow up if other significant news about the quake become available. If you're in the area, please send us your experience through our reporting mechanism, either online or via our mobile app. This will help us provide more first-hand updates to anyone around the globe who wants to know more about this quake.

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Earthquake details

Date & timeMar 18, 2023 17:12:52 UTC -
Local time at epicenterSaturday, Mar 18, 2023 at 12:12 pm (GMT -5)
StatusConfirmed
Magnitude6.8
Depth65.8 km
Epicenter latitude / longitude2.8367°S / 79.8436°W (South Pacific Ocean, Provincia del Azuay, Ecuador)
Antipode2.837°N / 100.156°E
Shaking intensityModerate shaking
Felt257 reports
Primary data sourceUSGS (United States Geological Survey)
Nearest volcanoLicto (180 km / 112 mi)
Nearby towns and cities9 km (6 mi) NNW of Balao (Guayas) (pop: 12,200) | Show on map | Quakes nearby
31 km (19 mi) SW of Naranjal (Guayas) (pop: 32,000) | Show on map | Quakes nearby
49 km (30 mi) NNE of Machala (El Oro) (pop: 198,100) | Show on map | Quakes nearby
71 km (44 mi) S of Guayaquil (Guayas) (pop: 1,952,000) | Show on map | Quakes nearby
74 km (46 mi) S of Duran (Guayas) (pop: 167,800) | Show on map | Quakes nearby
93 km (58 mi) W of Cuenca (Azuay) (pop: 277,000) | Show on map | Quakes nearby
325 km (202 mi) SSW of Quito (Pichincha) (pop: 1,399,800) | Show on map | Quakes nearby
Weather at epicenter at time of quakeLight Rain 20.7°C (69 F), humidity: 81%, wind: 2 m/s (5 kts) from WNW
Estimated seismic energy released1 x 1015 joules (278 gigawatt hours, equivalent to 2.4 x 105 tons of TNT or 14.9 atomic bombs!) | about seismic energy
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Data for the same earthquake reported by different agencies

Info: The more agencies report about the same quake and post similar data, the more confidence you can have in the data. It takes normally up to a few hours until earthquake parameters are calculated with near-optimum precision.
Mag.DepthLocationSource
6.866 kmNear Coast of EcuadorUSGS
6.770 kmNear Coast of EcuadorGFZ
6.866 kmNear Coast of EcuadorRaspberryShake
6.810 kmNear Coast Of EcuadorIRIS
6.771 kmNear Coast of EcuadorGeoAu
6.682 kmNear Coast of Ecuador [Land: Ecuador]INGV
6.780 kmNEAR COAST OF ECUADOREMSC
6.310 kmEcuador: Near GuayaquilRENASS

Seismograms

Seismic station: Tegucigalpa, Honduras (TGUH/CU network) | Distance from quake: 2049 km / 1273 mi | Show on map | Station Info
Seismic station Tegucigalpa, Honduras: vertical movement plot around time of quake (source: IRIS/BUD)
Seismogram (vertical component) around time of quake. Thin dotted red line indicates time of quake. Seismic waves arrive some time later, depending on distance. Bandpass filter applied: 0.02-2.0 Hz. Source: IRIS Buffer of Uniform Data (BUD) webtool
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User reports for this quake (273)

User reports estimate the perceived ground shaking intensity according to the MMI (Modified Mercalli Intensity) scale.
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Guayaquil (79.5 km N of epicenter) [Map] / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / complex rolling (tilting in multiple directions) / 1-2 minutes : Right now and earthquake in Guayaquil, felt like 7 level | 19 users found this interesting. (reported through our app)  
Cuenca. EC (97.2 km E of epicenter) [Map] / Very strong shaking (MMI VII) / both vertical and horizontal swinging : IN 5th floor condo in Cuenca EC viloent shaking, glasses breaking, movement extreme inside condo | 17 users found this interesting.  
Cuenca, ec, barrio puertas del sol / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / complex rolling (tilting in multiple directions) / 1-2 minutes : Strongest one in the last three years. Very scary on the 5th floor of building. | 14 users found this interesting.  
Santa Isabel, Azuay (76.6 km SE of epicenter) [Map] / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / rattling, vibrating / 10-15 s : The shaking started as moderate to strong vibrations that lessened in intensity for a moment before a wave of much stronger vibration/shaking made a lot of noise shaking the walls and furniture. The tallest brick wall of our house was vibrating so much towards the top that it pushed a cement 'column' several inches out of place. | 10 users found this interesting.  
Otavalo (383.9 km NNE of epicenter) [Map] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 20-30 s : Felt it in our fourth floor level shaking the floor and changing in intensity from stronger to weaker multiple times. | 10 users found this interesting. (reported through our app)  
29 km of Loja (172.3 km SSE of epicenter) [Map] / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / both vertical and horizontal swinging / 30-60 s : Upstairs, dog jumped off bed 2 minutes before, then back on bed, and it came in at least two pulses. First pulse was dramatic, and when second one started I ran downstairs for safety (first time I've run in Ecuador due to quake). | 9 users found this interesting.  
Cuenca, ecuador (86.4 km E of epicenter) [Map] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) : Loud sound like a very loud clap of thunder. Cupboard doors opened. Pictures on the walls were off angel by an inch, lights hanging from the ceiling were swinging, lights flickered. Some furniture moved about an inch. I felt the floor vibrate. Plants on my deck fell over. It was an unusually loud and quick earthquake. I have experienced many quakes in Victoria, BC, Canada - but never one that sounded like a crack od thunder. | 9 users found this interesting.  
malacatos, ecuador (167.8 km SSE of epicenter) [Map] / Very strong shaking (MMI VII) / both vertical and horizontal swinging / 15-20 s : Sitting at a desk. Violent shaking began, then rolling all directions. | 10 users found this interesting.  
Quito (330 km NNE of epicenter) [Map] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 15-20 s : Bed, furniture and curtains were staking for about 20 seconds | 10 users found this interesting. (reported through our app)  
Cuenca, Rio Amarillo, Azuay (96.1 km NE of epicenter) [Map] / Light shaking (MMI IV) : Sitting on bed.. everything started shaking and the intensity increased rapidly. Very strong shaking rendering walking difficult. Worst I've felt in Cuenca (considering intensity together WITH duration) in 8 years. | 7 users found this interesting.  
Cuenca, Azuay (89.8 km E of epicenter) [Map] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) : While house strong shaking | 7 users found this interesting. (reported through our app)  
Cuenca, Azuay (90.6 km E of epicenter) [Map] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / single vertical bump / 2-5 s : Hard very | 6 users found this interesting. (reported through our app)  
Cotacachi, Imbabura, Ecuador / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 20-30 s : It was the longest tremor I've felt here, lasted at least 15 seconds, then kept going for another ten more, not as intense. It was a side-to-side mild shaking, lasted long enough to make me wonder if I should leave the house. | 5 users found this interesting.  
Bahia de Caraquez, Manabi, Ecuador / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 15-20 s : Felt a strong jolt, then about 2 seconds later there was horizontal movement for about 15 seconds. | 6 users found this interesting.  
Loja, Ecuador / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s : Unsteady walking, clock fell from shelf, broke, battery fell out and the clock stopped at 12:13 PM. Roughly 10 seconds of strong, horizontal shaking. | 4 users found this interesting.  
Gualaceo / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / rattling, vibrating / 30-60 s : Heard my app sound an alarm. Grabbed one of my to go bags. Left my phone, didn't know where it was. Opened my door with the key and ran downstairs while the building was shaking. Continued vibrations after. | 4 users found this interesting. (reported through our app)  
Cuenca Ecuador (93.1 km E of epicenter) [Map] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) : Fue horrible | 4 users found this interesting.  
Cuenca, Edificio Genova, Juan Iniguez y Alfonso Mo / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 30-60 s : I could see the lateral movement of the building (I live on the 4th floor of a 7 floor apartment. I found cracks in the tile in my laundry room and one bathroom. There were vertical cracks in my neighbor's 4th floor apartment running vertically from ceiling to floor. We stood next to a support column until the swaying of the building ceased. Then we used the stairwell to exit the building. There were many building tenants outside.I don't ever want to experience this again. I was terrified. | 3 users found this interesting.  
  • Sorry but you do live in a area prone to Big earthquake s Mexico is next then California USA read books on how to stay safe do not freeze Read safety tips
Costa de Pro, Salinas / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 20-30 s : First earthquake ever. Experienced on 10th floor in ocean front condo. Vertical swaying of building, both seen and felt. Very disorienting. No damage that I could see. | 3 users found this interesting.  
  • Welcome to the club! ????
Sleeping / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / both vertical and horizontal swinging / 15-20 s : Animals ran out, objects were falling off the shelves, chandeliers swinging, more cracks on the walls | 3 users found this interesting.  
Guayaquil (75.1 km N of epicenter) [Map] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / several minutes : In a tower at the top of the building. Building was swaying and shaking hard. Very long. We could see the floors and building moving. Glass patio doors opened on their own. The worst and longest earthquake I’ve felt ever. The whole building was making noise and shaking. We heard it before we felt it. | 2 users found this interesting.  
Vilcabamba (173.4 km SSE of epicenter) [Map] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / 20-30 s : Sitting outside its started softwly and increasing to the punt we felt safest to cross the street to a square. The shaking was quite intense and felt dizziness after. | 2 users found this interesting.  
Guayaquil (73.3 km N of epicenter) [Map] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) : Estaba mi pareja haciendo streaming a esta hora jugando y se repente todo se movió, se le fue el internet y se le cayó la señal | 2 users found this interesting.  
Cuenca (93.2 km E of epicenter) [Map] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s : Second floor apt. Floor moving, building swaying, items fell off shelves. | 3 users found this interesting.  
Guayaquil (88.3 km N of epicenter) [Map] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / vibration and rolling / 1-2 minutes : Duro bastante y fue fuerte... | 3 users found this interesting.  
Chachapoyas (433.4 km SSE of epicenter) [Map] / Weak shaking (MMI III) : Como un bamboleo | 3 users found this interesting.  
Ambato, Provincia de Tungurahua (222 km NE of epicenter) [Map] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / both vertical and horizontal swinging / 2-5 s : Very surprised | 3 users found this interesting.  
Pasto, San Juan de Pasto, Nariño (534.1 km NNE of epicenter) [Map] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 15-20 s : pido 18 de una torre de conjunto | 3 users found this interesting.  
guaranda (168.7 km NNE of epicenter) [Map] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) : Temblor fuerte | 3 users found this interesting.  
manta (209.5 km NNW of epicenter) [Map] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / vibration and rolling / 20-30 s : En un centro comercial todo se tambalea | 3 users found this interesting.  
Guayaquil (75.9 km N of epicenter) [Map] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 15-20 s : Movimiento lateral | 3 users found this interesting. (reported through our app)  
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Aftershocks

[More info]

Recorded aftershocks, latest first (9 quakes)

Date and timeMag
Depth
LocationDetails
Mar 29, 2023 07:09
1 day 8 hours ago
3.9

49 km
40 km N of Loja, Provincia de Loja, EcuadorMore
Mar 25, 2023 23:47
5 days ago
3.5

28 km
South Pacific Ocean, 33 km SW of Naranjal, Provincia del Guayas, EcuadorMore
Mar 25, 2023 04:18
5 days ago - felt
3.9

30 km
6.1 km SE of Cuenca, Provincia del Azuay, EcuadorMore
Mar 20, 2023 10:20
10 days ago
4.4

10 km
South Pacific Ocean, 55 km SW of La Libertad, Provincia del Guayas, EcuadorMore
Mar 20, 2023 03:32
10 days ago
3.8

14 km
South Pacific Ocean, 48 km N of Machala, Provincia de El Oro, EcuadorMore
Mar 18, 2023 23:33
12 days ago
3.5

32 km
South Pacific Ocean, 34 km SW of Naranjal, Provincia del Guayas, EcuadorMore
Mar 18, 2023 20:44
12 days ago
3.7

12 km
South Pacific Ocean, 49 km N of Machala, Provincia de El Oro, EcuadorMore
Mar 18, 2023 17:55
12 days ago - felt
4.0

10 km
South Pacific Ocean, 47 km N of Machala, Provincia de El Oro, EcuadorMore
Mar 18, 2023 17:22
12 days ago - felt
4.8

12 km
South Pacific Ocean, 46 km N of Machala, Provincia de El Oro, EcuadorMore

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