M4.6 Earthquake in the Galapagos Triple Junction region — May 16, 2026
2026-05-16 15:59:41 UTC (3 days ago) · approx. 8:59 AM UTC-7 local
On May 16, 2026 at 15:59 UTC, a magnitude 4.6 shallow crustal earthquake struck in the Galapagos Triple Junction region, at a depth of 10.0 km and coordinates 2.2020°, -101.0566°. This earthquake was detected by 180 seismic stations with excellent 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.
Earthquake Details
-101.0566°E
Technical Information
Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 4.6 earthquake in the Galapagos Triple Junction region?
The magnitude 4.6 earthquake that struck in the Galapagos Triple Junction region on May 16, 2026 at 15:59 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 2.2020°, -101.0566°, which is in the Galapagos Triple Junction region.
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: us6000syh3). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2026, May 16, 2026). M4.6 Earthquake in the Galapagos Triple Junction region — May 16, 2026. Retrieved May 19, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us6000syh3/