3.9

M3.9 Earthquake near Virgin IslandsSeptember 3, 2023

2023-09-03 22:23:48 UTC (2023-09-03) · approx. 6:23 PM UTC-4 local

MagnitudeM3.9(md)
Time22:23 UTC6:23 PM UTC-4
Depth7.0 kmshallow crustal
Coordinates18.967°, -64.599°
Felt byNo felt reports
Status✓ Reviewed by USGS

On September 3, 2023 at 22:23 UTC, a magnitude 3.9 shallow crustal earthquake struck near Virgin Islands, at a depth of 7.0 km and coordinates 18.9670°, -64.5988°.

Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 3.9 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 10 metric tons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 291 m — a useful intuition for the size of the slip patch on the fault.

Map showing earthquake epicenter at 18.97°, -64.60°

Earthquake Details

Magnitude
3.9 md
Depth
7.0 km
shallow crustal
Location
18.9670°N
-64.5988°E

Technical Information

Event ID
pr2023246005
Event Type
earthquake
Status
✓ Reviewed
Significance
233
Stations Used
16
Azimuthal Gap
222.0°
Min Station Distance
0.711°
RMS Residual
0.40 sec
Last Updated
2023-11-17 19:47:48 UTC

Common Questions

How strong was the magnitude 3.9 earthquake near Virgin Islands?

The magnitude 3.9 earthquake that struck near Virgin Islands on September 3, 2023 at 22:23 UTC had a depth of 7.0 km. For context, this was a minor earthquake typically detected only by instruments.

Were there aftershocks?

Aftershock activity is monitored continuously by the USGS. Aftershock sequences from magnitude 3.9 earthquakes can continue for several days and gradually diminish over time.

Understanding This Data

Magnitude 3.9 earthquakes are typically only recorded by instruments.

Learn more about magnitude →

Authoritative source: USGS event page (event ID: pr2023246005). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.

Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2023, September 3, 2023). M3.9 Earthquake near Virgin IslandsSeptember 3, 2023. Retrieved November 17, 2023 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/pr2023246005/