Peru 6.7-Magnitude Quake Hits Southern Andes with Limited Damage

A magnitude 6.7 earthquake struck the southern Andes Mountains of Peru on Thursday, August 20, 2026, sending tremors across several regions but causing no immediate reports of significant casualties or major structural damage. The U.S. Geological Survey, or USGS, reported the quake occurred at 1:00 p.m. local time, with its epicenter located 38 kilometers, or 24 miles, northwest of the town of Upahuacho in the Parinacochas province of the Ayacucho region.

The earthquake originated at a depth of 66.7 kilometers, according to the USGS. The Peruvian Geophysical Institute, or IGP, initially registered the event at a magnitude of 7.2 and a depth of 108 kilometers, noting the deep seismic origin likely limited surface damage. The IGP reported the epicenter was 35 kilometers north of Coracora, a town near the quake's origin.

Despite the deep tremor being felt widely, from the coastal city of Ica to Arequipa and even the capital Lima, authorities reported the impact was largely limited. Some local media showed images of cracked home walls and rockslides in areas near the epicenter, such as around Coracora. The town's mayor, Yony Odon, told state television that residents evacuated and...