M4.5 Earthquake Strikes Near Chinandega, Nicaragua

Chinandega, Nicaragua — A magnitude 4.5 earthquake shook western Nicaragua on Wednesday afternoon, striking just west of the city of Chinandega.

What happened:

The quake hit at 1:55 PM Central Time, centered about 2 kilometers west of Chinandega, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. It struck deep underground, at a depth of about 159 kilometers, which typically limits shaking at the surface. The USGS has reviewed the event and lists no tsunami threat from this earthquake.

Impacts:

No reports of damage have come in so far, and no felt reports were filed with the USGS in the first hours after the quake. The depth of this earthquake likely kept shaking light across the region, though residents near the epicenter may have felt a brief rumble.

What to do:

- If you feel shaking, drop, cover, and hold on until it stops.

- Stay clear of windows, heavy furniture, and anything that could fall.

- Check your home for hazards such as gas leaks or cracked walls before settling back in.

- Be ready for aftershocks, which can follow in the hours and days after an earthquake.

Source: U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), November 4, 2026.