3.8

M3.8 Earthquake 111 km NNE of Cruz Bay, U.S. Virgin IslandsMay 17, 2026

2026-05-17 22:45:58 UTC (2 days ago) · approx. 6:45 PM UTC-4 local

MagnitudeM3.8(md)
Time22:45 UTC6:45 PM UTC-4
Depth26.0 kmshallow crustal
Coordinates19.191°, -64.247°
Felt byNo felt reports
Status✓ Reviewed by USGS

On May 17, 2026 at 22:45 UTC, a magnitude 3.8 shallow crustal earthquake struck 111 km NNE of Cruz Bay, U.S. Virgin Islands, at a depth of 26.0 km and coordinates 19.1913°, -64.2466°.

Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 3.8 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 7.3 metric tons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 248 m — a useful intuition for the size of the slip patch on the fault.

Map showing earthquake epicenter at 19.19°, -64.25°

Earthquake Details

Magnitude
3.8 md
Depth
26.0 km
shallow crustal
Location
19.1913°N
-64.2466°E

Technical Information

Event ID
pr2026137001
Event Type
earthquake
Status
✓ Reviewed
Significance
221
Stations Used
20
Azimuthal Gap
291.0°
Min Station Distance
0.718°
RMS Residual
0.33 sec
Last Updated
2026-05-18 00:38:58 UTC

Common Questions

How strong was the magnitude 3.8 earthquake near Cruz Bay, U.S. Virgin Islands?

The magnitude 3.8 earthquake that struck 111 km NNE of Cruz Bay, U.S. Virgin Islands on May 17, 2026 at 22:45 UTC had a depth of 26.0 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 3.8 earthquakes can continue for several days and gradually diminish over time.

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.

Authoritative source: USGS event page (event ID: pr2026137001). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.

Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2026, May 17, 2026). M3.8 Earthquake 111 km NNE of Cruz Bay, U.S. Virgin IslandsMay 17, 2026. Retrieved May 20, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/pr2026137001/