In 1562 CE, a major earthquake struck Ecuador, causing widespread destruction. This was one of the earliest documented earthquakes in the region and is recorded in Spanish colonial sources. The event was a significant disaster for the Spanish colony.

The 1562 Ecuador earthquake is recorded in Spanish colonial accounts and is part of the early documentation of the region's seismic history. The event is a part of the historical background for the literature of colonial Ecuador, where the power of nature is a frequent theme. The earthquake is a notable example in the history of Ecuadorian literature, where natural disasters are often used to explore the relationship between the settlers and their environment.