4.6

M4.6 Earthquake 22 km SW of Santa Bárbara, PortugalMay 10, 2026

2026-05-10 12:21:22 UTC (56 min ago) · approx. 10:21 AM UTC-2 local

MagnitudeM4.6(mb)
Time12:21 UTC10:21 AM UTC-2
Depth10.0 kmshallow crustal
Coordinates38.534°, -27.504°
Felt byNo felt reports
Status✓ Reviewed by USGS

On May 10, 2026 at 12:21 UTC, a magnitude 4.6 shallow crustal earthquake struck 22 km SW of Santa Bárbara, Portugal, at a depth of 10.0 km and coordinates 38.5344°, -27.5038°. This earthquake was detected by 39 seismic stations with good location accuracy and was assigned a USGS significance rating of 326, placing it among routine seismic activity.

Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 4.6 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 120 metric tons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 899 m — a useful intuition for the size of the slip patch on the fault.

Map showing earthquake epicenter at 38.53°, -27.50°

Earthquake Details

Magnitude
4.6 mb
Depth
10.0 km
shallow crustal
Location
38.5344°N
-27.5038°E

Technical Information

Event ID
us6000swq9
Event Type
earthquake
Status
✓ Reviewed
Significance
326
Stations Used
39
Azimuthal Gap
170.0°
Min Station Distance
1.740°
RMS Residual
0.93 sec
Last Updated
2026-05-10 12:41:37 UTC

Common Questions

How strong was the magnitude 4.6 earthquake near Santa Bárbara, Portugal?

The magnitude 4.6 earthquake that struck 22 km SW of Santa Bárbara, Portugal on May 10, 2026 at 12:21 UTC had a depth of 10.0 km. For context, this was a light earthquake commonly felt near the epicenter.

Where did the earthquake occur?

The earthquake epicenter was located at 38.5344°, -27.5038°, which is 22 km SW of Santa Bárbara, Portugal.

Were there aftershocks?

Aftershock activity is monitored continuously by the USGS. Aftershock sequences from magnitude 4.6 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: us6000swq9). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.

Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2026, May 10, 2026). M4.6 Earthquake 22 km SW of Santa Bárbara, PortugalMay 10, 2026. Retrieved May 10, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us6000swq9/