M5.3 Earthquake near northern Mid-Atlantic Ridge — March 14, 2026
2026-03-14 17:43:17 UTC (2026-03-14) · approx. 2:43 PM UTC-3 local
On March 14, 2026 at 17:43 UTC, a magnitude 5.3 shallow crustal earthquake struck near northern Mid-Atlantic Ridge, at a depth of 10.0 km and coordinates 16.5738°, -46.5990°. This earthquake was detected by 207 seismic stations with excellent location accuracy and was assigned a USGS significance rating of 432, placing it among routine seismic activity.
Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 5.3 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 1 kilotons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 2.7 km — a useful intuition for the size of the slip patch on the fault.
Earthquake Details
-46.5990°E
Technical Information
Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 5.3 earthquake near northern Mid-Atlantic Ridge?
The magnitude 5.3 earthquake that struck near northern Mid-Atlantic Ridge on March 14, 2026 at 17:43 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 16.5738°, -46.5990°, which is near northern Mid-Atlantic Ridge.
Were there aftershocks?
Aftershock activity is monitored continuously by the USGS. Aftershock sequences from magnitude 5.3 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: us6000sgbx). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2026, March 14, 2026). M5.3 Earthquake near northern Mid-Atlantic Ridge — March 14, 2026. Retrieved May 19, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us6000sgbx/