M3.5 Earthquake 32 km SSE of La Romana, Dominican Republic — March 12, 2026
2026-03-12 19:59:18 UTC (2026-03-12) · approx. 2:59 PM UTC-5 local
On March 12, 2026 at 19:59 UTC, a magnitude 3.5 intermediate depth earthquake struck 32 km SSE of La Romana, Dominican Republic, at a depth of 107.0 km and coordinates 18.1588°, -68.8478°.
Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 3.5 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 2.9 metric tons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 162 m — a useful intuition for the size of the slip patch on the fault.
This earthquake is part of an ongoing aftershock sequence following the magnitude 5.0 mainshock that occurred 9 days ago 51 km S of Boca de Yuma, Dominican Republic. Since the mainshock, the USGS has recorded 3 aftershocks in this area. Aftershock activity is expected to continue for days to weeks as stresses on surrounding faults redistribute.
Earthquake Details
-68.8478°E
Technical Information
Nearby Earthquakes (Last 7 Days)
Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 3.5 earthquake near La Romana, Dominican Republic?
The magnitude 3.5 earthquake that struck 32 km SSE of La Romana, Dominican Republic on March 12, 2026 at 19:59 UTC had a depth of 107.0 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 3.5 earthquakes can continue for several days and gradually diminish over time.
Is this the same earthquake as the M5.0 one earlier?
No. This magnitude 3.5 earthquake is an aftershock of the larger magnitude 5.0 mainshock that occurred earlier 51 km S of Boca de Yuma, Dominican Republic. Aftershocks are smaller earthquakes triggered by stress changes from the mainshock.
What should I do after an earthquake?
If you were in the affected area: check yourself and others for injuries, inspect your home for damage, and be prepared for aftershocks. For detailed guidance, see our earthquake safety guide and emergency planning resources.
Actions
Understanding This Data
Magnitude 3.5 earthquakes are typically only recorded by instruments.
Authoritative source: USGS event page (event ID: pr2026071001). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2026, March 12, 2026). M3.5 Earthquake 32 km SSE of La Romana, Dominican Republic — March 12, 2026. Retrieved May 26, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/pr2026071001/