Magnitude 5.5 earthquake in Santa Elena shakes the Ecuadorian coast without leaving damage

Published at: 04/04/2026 03:48 PM

A magnitude 5.5 earthquake surprised the coastal region of Ecuador this Saturday morning. According to the preliminary report of the Geophysical Institute of the National Polytechnic School, the earthquake occurred at 07:23 (local time), with an epicenter located 17.15 kilometers from the province of Santa Elena.

Due to its shallow depth of just 1 kilometer, the event was classified as a superficial earthquake. This technical characteristic explains why the release of energy was perceived with considerable intensity in the surrounding areas, generating alarm among citizens who began their daily activities.

The seismic wave spread rapidly over several strategic points along the Ecuadorian coast. Public and local authority reports confirmed that the tremor was clearly felt in various sectors of the province of Guayas, including the city of Guayaquil and its peripheral areas, where the population reported the vibration of structures.

Despite the magnitude and proximity of the epicenter, risk management authorities reported that there are no reports of structural damage or casualties so far. In addition, the Navy's Oceanographic and Antarctic Institute (INOCAR) confirmed that the characteristics of the earthquake do not meet the necessary conditions to generate a tsunami alert on the country's coasts.

Mazo News Team