Earthquakes in El Salvador — March 2026
5 earthquakes were recorded in El Salvador during March 2026, an average of 0.2 per day.
5 reached magnitude 4 or above and 2 reached magnitude 5 or above. The average focal depth was 55 km.
The month's largest event in El Salvador was a magnitude 5.3 earthquake near Chirilagua, El Salvador on 04 March 2026 at 18:56 UTC. A magnitude 5.3 earthquake radiates roughly 1,344 tons of TNT equivalent in seismic energy.
That is well above the El Salvador monthly average of 4 events over the period we cover — an unusually active month, and up from the 3 recorded the previous month.
100% of events here are shallow (under 70 km), 0% intermediate (70–300 km) and 0% deep-focus (over 300 km). Almost everything here is crustal. That is characteristic of transform faulting or continental deformation rather than subduction — and it means shaking at the surface is strong for the magnitudes involved.
By band, the catalogue holds 3 in the magnitude 4 range, 2 in the magnitude 5 range.
The month's largest events were M5.3 near Chirilagua, El Salvador on 04 March at 52 km; M5.3 near Chirilagua, El Salvador on 15 March at 56 km; M4.9 near La Libertad, El Salvador on 26 March at 69 km.
That is 35% above the 4 events El Salvador averages per month across the 21 months on record.
Largest earthquakes in El Salvador, March 2026
5 events listed below, newest first. Times are UTC. Click any column header to re-sort.
| Time (UTC) | Mag | Location | Depth (km) | Country | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.3 | Chirilagua, El Salvador | 55.9 | El Salvador | View details View | |
| 5.3 | Chirilagua, El Salvador | 51.7 | El Salvador | View details View | |
| 4.9 | La Libertad, El Salvador | 69.2 | El Salvador | View details View | |
| 4.6 | La Libertad, El Salvador | 31.2 | El Salvador | View details View | |
| 4.4 | Jiquilisco, El Salvador | 67.6 | El Salvador | View details View |
Frequently asked questions
How many earthquakes hit El Salvador in March 2026?
5 earthquakes were recorded in El Salvador during March 2026, of which 5 were magnitude 4 or above.
What was the biggest earthquake in El Salvador in March 2026?
A magnitude 5.3 event near Chirilagua, El Salvador on 04 March 2026.
Other months in El Salvador
Magnitudes for March 2026 reflect the current USGS review status and may have been revised since first publication. See our guides on the magnitude scale, focal depth and why earthquakes cluster.