Sismicidad: por qué Paraguay tiembla poco
Paraguay sits in the middle of the South American plate: earthquakes are rare and moderate, the largest on record being M5.6 in Boquerón in 1989.
What it is
The country lies in the interior of the South American plate, a stable area far from the plate boundaries where major earthquakes occur. That is why seismicity is low to moderate, with usual magnitudes between 3 and 5. Between 1947 and 1989, 13 of the 14 recorded events had their epicentre in the Chaco, and the largest was on 14 February 1989 in Boquerón, magnitude 5.6.
The FACEN (UNA) Seismology Laboratory monitors activity. On 30 March 2022 a tremor was centred between Villa Hayes and Benjamín Aceval, with a preliminary magnitude of 4.6; specialists explained that this is settling within the plate, with no major danger. Often what is felt in Asunción are echoes of strong earthquakes in Argentina or Chile.
How to visit
There is no place to visit. For information, the FACEN-UNA Seismology Laboratory is the national reference. The coordinates are a reference in Boquerón department.
Nearby
Mariscal Estigarribia · Boquerón
Iglesia San Miguel de Mariscal Estigarribia
A 1956 brick church of the Apostolic Vicariate of Pilcomayo, within the III Army Corps compound.
Mariscal Estigarribia · Boquerón
Mariscal Estigarribia
The “military town” at the heart of the Chaco, a crossroads toward Bolivia and home base of the Transchaco Rally.
Mariscal Estigarribia (comunidad Santa Teresita) · Boquerón
Arete Guasu en Santa Teresita
The great festival of the Western Guaraní: masks, drums and circle dances that bring the living and their ancestors together at Carnival.
Researched and reviewed in September 2026 with 3 sources. A second reviewer checked dates, coordinates and lodging. Hours and prices may change.