The magnitude 8.3 Mw Central Chilean earthquake, 46km W of Illapel, Chile (31.570 S, 71.654 W depth=25.0 km) occurred at 2255 UTC and generated a tsunami that was observed throughout the Pacific and caused damage locally. According to reports, 15 died, and 14 were injured due to ground shaking.

The 16 September 2015 earthquake occurred as a result of thrust faulting on the interface between the Nazca and South America plates in Central Chile. In the earthquake region, the Nazca plate subducts eastward beneath the South American plate at a rate of 65 mm/yr.