A magnitude 6.1 earthquake struck off the coast of Lima, Peru at 16:35 UTC (11:35 local time) on June 15, 2025, shaking the country’s capital and surrounding areas. The Geophysical Institute of Peru (IGP) reported a depth of 49 km (78 mi), while USGS registered it as M5.6 at 53 km (32 mi).
The epicenter was located just 24 km (15 mi) west-southwest of Callao and 29 km (18 mi) southwest of Lima, affecting an area home to nearly 9 million people and vital national infrastructure, including Jorge Chávez International Airport and Peru’s main seaport.
Casualties and Damage
Tragically, at least one person was killed in the Independencia district of Lima when a wall collapsed. Emergency crews also responded to:
- Landslides and rockfalls along the Costa Verde highway in Miraflores
- Structural damage at Plaza Norte mall, where a dining area roof partially collapsed
- Falling debris in several districts
- Suspension of Lima Metro Line 1 services for structural inspections
While no tsunami warning was issued, the quake triggered moderate to strong ground shaking, felt widely across Lima, Callao, and surrounding coastal areas.
🚨 BREAKING: A magnitude 6.1 #earthquake struck near #Lima, #Peru today, killing at least 1 person and triggering landslides along the Costa Verde. Structural damage and transit disruptions reported. No tsunami threat. pic.twitter.com/RPVPW9lzwA
— meteo.events (@meteoevents) June 15, 2025
Impact Assessment
According to USGS PAGER, an estimated 11 million people experienced light shaking, with the agency issuing a Green Alert for fatalities and economic damage—indicating a low likelihood of widespread loss.
Peru’s coastal urban centers are highly populated but include many vulnerable structures, such as mud wall and masonry homes, that are susceptible to seismic damage.
Seismic Background
This earthquake occurred along the boundary between the Nazca and South American tectonic plates, a notoriously active subduction zone. The region is prone to moderate-to-large quakes and secondary hazards like landslides, especially in areas with steep terrain and aging infrastructure.
Whoahh! The M5.6 earthquake less than an hour ago has triggered landslides on the Costa Verde in Lima, Peru 👀😱 pic.twitter.com/zBNCkP09Xr
— Volcaholic 🌋 (@volcaholic1) June 15, 2025
