Catamarca experiences increased seismic activity

The province of Catamarca, Argentina, has recorded 19 seismic events this year. On September 9, 2026, two distinct earthquakes occurred: a magnitude 2.6 tremor at a depth of 127 kilometers, followed by a more intense magnitude 5.1 earthquake at a depth of 6 kilometers near Antofagasta de la Sierra.

Geologist Lorenzo Parra from the National University of Catamarca has called for a revision of the current seismic risk maps provided by the National Institute for Seismic Prevention (INPRES). Parra argues that existing zonification may not accurately reflect local complexities, noting that risk is not limited to the Andean Cordillera but extends to areas like the Sierra de Ambato. He distinguishes between deep seismic activity caused by the subduction of the Nazca plate under the South American plate and shallow tremors originating from local faults.