M4.7 Earthquake south of Africa — May 16, 2026
2026-05-16 08:54:02 UTC (4 days ago) · approx. 10:54 AM UTC+2 local
On May 16, 2026 at 08:54 UTC, a magnitude 4.7 shallow crustal earthquake struck south of Africa, at a depth of 10.0 km and coordinates -53.4320°, 25.1395°. This earthquake was detected by 18 seismic stations with good location accuracy and was assigned a USGS significance rating of 340, placing it among routine seismic activity.
Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 4.7 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 169 metric tons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 1.1 km — a useful intuition for the size of the slip patch on the fault.
Earthquake Details
25.1395°E
Technical Information
Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 4.7 earthquake south of Africa?
The magnitude 4.7 earthquake that struck south of Africa on May 16, 2026 at 08:54 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 -53.4320°, 25.1395°, which is south of Africa.
Were there aftershocks?
Aftershock activity is monitored continuously by the USGS. Aftershock sequences from magnitude 4.7 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: us6000sycw). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2026, May 16, 2026). M4.7 Earthquake south of Africa — May 16, 2026. Retrieved May 20, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us6000sycw/