M5.1 Earthquake 128 km ENE of Santa Cruz das Flores, Portugal — February 9, 2026
2026-02-09 22:31:59 UTC (2026-02-09) · approx. 8:31 PM UTC-2 local
On February 9, 2026 at 22:31 UTC, a magnitude 5.1 shallow crustal earthquake struck 128 km ENE of Santa Cruz das Flores, Portugal, at a depth of 10.0 km and coordinates 39.9193°, -29.7530°. This earthquake was detected by 158 seismic stations with excellent location accuracy and was assigned a USGS significance rating of 400, placing it among routine seismic activity.
Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 5.1 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 674 metric tons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 2.0 km — a useful intuition for the size of the slip patch on the fault.
Earthquake Details
-29.7530°E
Technical Information
Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 5.1 earthquake near Santa Cruz das Flores, Portugal?
The magnitude 5.1 earthquake that struck 128 km ENE of Santa Cruz das Flores, Portugal on February 9, 2026 at 22:31 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 39.9193°, -29.7530°, which is 128 km ENE of Santa Cruz das Flores, Portugal.
Were there aftershocks?
Aftershock activity is monitored continuously by the USGS. Aftershock sequences from magnitude 5.1 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: us6000s7jd). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2026, February 9, 2026). M5.1 Earthquake 128 km ENE of Santa Cruz das Flores, Portugal — February 9, 2026. Retrieved May 18, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us6000s7jd/