M5.0 Earthquake near southern Mid-Atlantic Ridge — December 16, 2025
2025-12-16 13:45:24 UTC (2025-12-16) · approx. 12:45 PM UTC-1 local
On December 16, 2025 at 13:45 UTC, a magnitude 5.0 shallow crustal earthquake struck near southern Mid-Atlantic Ridge, at a depth of 10.0 km and coordinates -43.7809°, -16.2259°. This earthquake was detected by 76 seismic stations with excellent location accuracy and was assigned a USGS significance rating of 385, placing it among routine seismic activity.
Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 5.0 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 477 metric tons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 1.7 km — a useful intuition for the size of the slip patch on the fault.
Earthquake Details
-16.2259°E
Technical Information
Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 5.0 earthquake near southern Mid-Atlantic Ridge?
The magnitude 5.0 earthquake that struck near southern Mid-Atlantic Ridge on December 16, 2025 at 13:45 UTC had a depth of 10.0 km. For context, this was a moderate earthquake that could be widely felt.
Where did the earthquake occur?
The earthquake epicenter was located at -43.7809°, -16.2259°, which is near southern Mid-Atlantic Ridge.
Were there aftershocks?
Aftershock activity is monitored continuously by the USGS. Aftershock sequences from magnitude 5.0 earthquakes can continue for days to weeks 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: us6000rv9r). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2025, December 16, 2025). M5.0 Earthquake near southern Mid-Atlantic Ridge — December 16, 2025. Retrieved May 24, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us6000rv9r/