A Friday of Football and Seismic Tremors in Córdoba

On July 3, 2026, the central Argentine province of Córdoba made headlines not just for the thrilling World Cup match between Argentina and Cape Verde (Round of 16), but also for two minor earthquakes that gently shook the southern part of the province. While millions of Argentines watched the game from their homes or local pubs, the earth trembled slightly in several Cordobese towns.

According to reports from the National Institute of Seismic Prevention (INPRES), the movements were of low magnitude and did not trigger major alerts, though they certainly sparked curiosity and conversation among soccer fans watching the match.

Details of the Registered Earthquakes

The two seismic events occurred shortly after one another, right in the middle of the soccer match:

• First Earthquake: Occurred at 19:55, with a magnitude of 3.1. The epicenter was located 43 kilometers north of Río Cuarto (a major city in southern Córdoba), 65 kilometers south of Río Tercero, and 81 kilometers southeast of Merlo. The registered depth was 16 kilometers.
• Second Earthquake: Happened at 20:44, while the match was still underway. It reached a magnitude of 3.4. Its epicenter was located 41 kilometers north of Río Cuarto, 67 kilometers south of Río Tercero, and 84 kilometers northeast of Sampacho, with a depth of 23 kilometers.

Both movements were felt lightly, reaching a maximum intensity of degree III on the Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale, meaning it was mostly felt by people at rest or inside buildings.