M3.4 Earthquake 32 km NNW of Charlotte Amalie, U.S. Virgin Islands — May 16, 2026
2026-05-16 15:50:26 UTC (10 hours ago) · approx. 11:50 AM UTC-4 local
On May 16, 2026 at 15:50 UTC, a magnitude 3.4 shallow crustal earthquake struck 32 km NNW of Charlotte Amalie, U.S. Virgin Islands, at a depth of 63.4 km and coordinates 18.5878°, -65.0983°.
Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 3.4 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 2.0 metric tons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 136 m — a useful intuition for the size of the slip patch on the fault.
Earthquake Details
-65.0983°E
Technical Information
Nearby Earthquakes (Last 7 Days)
Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 3.4 earthquake near Charlotte Amalie, U.S. Virgin Islands?
The magnitude 3.4 earthquake that struck 32 km NNW of Charlotte Amalie, U.S. Virgin Islands on May 16, 2026 at 15:50 UTC had a depth of 63.4 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 3.4 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.
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Understanding This Data
Magnitude 3.4 earthquakes are typically only recorded by instruments.
Authoritative source: USGS event page (event ID: pr71516788). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2026, May 16, 2026). M3.4 Earthquake 32 km NNW of Charlotte Amalie, U.S. Virgin Islands — May 16, 2026. Retrieved May 17, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/pr71516788/