Palca, Peru

Full City Profile

470 Population 0/sq mi density
10,935 ft Elevation 3,333 meters
65°F Avg Temperature 18°C
Palca enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 65°F (18°C). Winters average 65°F in January while summers reach 64°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 2.8 inches. The area receives 0.0 inches of snow annually.

Temperature

65°F Jan (18°C) 64°F Jul (18°C)
Annual Average65.2°F
21% above US avg
January Average65°F (18°C)
July Average64°F (18°C)

Geography

Elevation10,935 ft (3,333 m)
Area1,130.0 sq mi (2,926.6 km²)
Population Density0/sq mi
Coordinates17.7779°S, 69.9596°W
TimezoneAmerica/Lima

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 2.8"
93% below US avg
Snowfall 0.0"
Wettest Month (Jan) 2.44"
Driest Month (Sep) 0.04"

Air Quality

Earthquake History

1,016 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M6.4. Most recent: M4.6 on Aug 29, 2025.

Mar 23, 2015 94 km SW of Curahuara de Carangas, Bolivia M6.4 106 km
Jan 21, 2018 100 km ESE of Arica, Chile M6.3 134 km
Dec 12, 1994 45 km E of Estique, Peru M6.3 51 km
Mar 6, 2011 68 km ESE of Palca, Peru M6.3 69 km
Oct 10, 2017 58 km E of Arica, Chile M6.3 91 km
May 6, 2010 21 km S of Las Yaras, Peru M6.2 70 km
May 14, 2012 40 km ENE of Palca, Peru M6.2 41 km
Apr 1, 1997 90 km SE of Palca, Peru M6.2 91 km
Apr 1, 1997 73 km SE of Palca, Peru M6.2 74 km
Jun 8, 2011 43 km SSE of Mazo Cruz, Peru M5.9 90 km
Jul 13, 2005 13 km NE of Calana, Peru M5.9 18 km
Dec 15, 1991 14 km SSW of Totoral, Peru M5.9 57 km
Jun 23, 2001 21 km S of Pacocha, Peru M5.8 147 km
Apr 16, 2005 34 km ENE of Palca, Peru M5.8 35 km
May 17, 1990 48 km SE of Palca, Peru M5.8 49 km
Jan 27, 2004 31 km SE of El Algarrobal, Peru M5.8 118 km
Aug 26, 2003 20 km ESE of Torata, Peru M5.7 102 km
Feb 25, 1990 76 km WSW of Curahuara de Carangas, Bolivia M5.7 92 km
Oct 25, 1996 9 km NE of Ticaco, Peru M5.7 45 km
Jan 29, 2014 97 km E of Arica, Chile M5.6 102 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990-2025)

Tsunami History

5 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 18.0 m (59 ft).

Year Location Cause Max Wave Deaths Distance
1868 NORTHERN CHILE Earthquake 18.0 m 25,000 143 km
1604 S. PERU Earthquake 5.0 m 174 104 km
1868 NORTHERN CHILE Earthquake 0.2 m - 143 km
1895 NORTHERN CHILE Earthquake - - 113 km
1715 PERU Earthquake - - 104 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database. Sorted by wave height.

Nearby Volcanoes

6 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Tacora (21 km).

Name Type Elevation Last Eruption Distance
Tacora Stratovolcano(es) 5,980 m (19,619 ft) Unknown 21 km
Taapaca Complex 5,860 m (19,226 ft) -320 60 km
Yucamane Stratovolcano(es) 5,495 m (18,028 ft) -1320 71 km
Tutupaca Stratovolcano(es) 5,801 m (19,032 ft) 1802 94 km
Parinacota Stratovolcano 6,336 m (20,787 ft) 290 97 km
Huaynaputina Stratovolcano 4,850 m (15,912 ft) 1600 161 km
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP). Sorted by distance.

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 65°F (18°C) 2.4 in Warmest, Wettest
February 50°F (10°C) 2.4 in
March 49°F (9°C) 1.3 in
April 47°F (9°C) 0.1 in
May 44°F (7°C) 0.0 in Driest
June 41°F (5°C) 0.0 in Coldest
July 64°F (18°C) 0.0 in
August 42°F (6°C) 0.0 in
September 45°F (7°C) 0.0 in
October 47°F (8°C) 0.0 in
November 49°F (10°C) 0.2 in
December 50°F (10°C) 0.9 in

Palca has a seasonal temperature swing of 24°F / from 41°F in June to 65°F in January. Total annual precipitation is 7.4 inches, with January being the wettest month (2.4") and May the driest (0.0").

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