01/07/2026 09:05 - Actualidad
In the early hours of Wednesday, July 1, 2026, residents of Córdoba, Argentina's second-largest province, experienced an unexpected wake-up call. At 1:34 AM local time, a magnitude 4.0 earthquake on the Richter scale shook several towns, waking many who quickly turned to social media to report the phenomenon.
According to the National Institute of Seismic Prevention (INPRES), Argentina's official seismic monitoring body, the quake's epicenter was located 30 kilometers (18.6 miles) southwest of Deán Funes, a small city in northern Córdoba. The hypocenter (the quake's underground point of origin) was situated at a depth of 11 kilometers (6.8 miles).
Residents across different areas also felt the tremor, particularly those in tall buildings:
This tremor is part of a recent series of seismic events registered in the province:
| Date | Time | Magnitude | Epicenter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday, June 29 | 11:55 PM | 2.7 | Tanti (22 km depth) |
| Tuesday, June 30 | 3:30 AM | 2.4 | 20 km NW of Alta Gracia |
| Wednesday, July 1 | 1:34 AM | 4.0 | 30 km SW of Deán Funes |
The Richter scale is a logarithmic measure developed in 1935 by American seismologist Charles Richter to determine the energy released by an earthquake.
A magnitude 4 earthquake is considered light: it can be felt by many people but rarely causes structural damage. For perspective, the strongest earthquake ever recorded in history reached magnitude 9.5 (Chile, 1960).
Unlike Richter, the Modified Mercalli Scale measures earthquake intensity based on effects perceived by people and structural damage caused.
It ranges from degree I (imperceptible) to XII (total destruction). Wednesday's quake reached an estimated degree III to IV in the closest areas: perceptible by many people at rest, with vibrations similar to a small truck passing by.
Córdoba is Argentina's second most populous province, located in the country's central region. It's known for its scenic mountain ranges (Sierras de Córdoba), colonial architecture, and vibrant cultural scene. While Argentina is not as seismically active as neighboring Chile, the western and central regions do experience occasional earthquakes due to their proximity to the Andes mountain range.
Sources: TN | La Voz del Interior | La Gaceta | INPRES (National Institute of Seismic Prevention)
Alfredo S. Quiroga
