M4.3 Earthquake 298 km WNW of Longyearbyen, Svalbard and Jan Mayen — May 16, 2026
2026-05-16 01:34:40 UTC (15 hours ago) · approx. 1:34 AM UTC+0 local
On May 16, 2026 at 01:34 UTC, a magnitude 4.3 shallow crustal earthquake struck 298 km WNW of Longyearbyen, Svalbard and Jan Mayen, at a depth of 10.0 km and coordinates 79.7331°, 4.0880°.
Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 4.3 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 43 metric tons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 558 m — a useful intuition for the size of the slip patch on the fault.
Earthquake Details
4.0880°E
Technical Information
Nearby Earthquakes (Last 7 Days)
Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 4.3 earthquake near Longyearbyen, Svalbard and Jan Mayen?
The magnitude 4.3 earthquake that struck 298 km WNW of Longyearbyen, Svalbard and Jan Mayen on May 16, 2026 at 01:34 UTC had a depth of 10.0 km. For context, this was a light earthquake commonly felt near the epicenter.
Were there aftershocks?
Aftershock activity is monitored continuously by the USGS. Aftershock sequences from magnitude 4.3 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 4.3 earthquakes are often felt but rarely cause damage.
Authoritative source: USGS event page (event ID: us6000sy4y). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2026, May 16, 2026). M4.3 Earthquake 298 km WNW of Longyearbyen, Svalbard and Jan Mayen — May 16, 2026. Retrieved May 16, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us6000sy4y/