M4.9 Earthquake in the Balleny Islands region — May 22, 2026
2026-05-22 08:04:21 UTC (10 hours ago) · approx. 6:04 PM UTC+10 local
On May 22, 2026 at 08:04 UTC, a magnitude 4.9 shallow crustal earthquake struck in the Balleny Islands region, at a depth of 10.0 km and coordinates -61.6801°, 154.2037°. This earthquake was detected by 14 seismic stations with good location accuracy and was assigned a USGS significance rating of 369, placing it among routine seismic activity.
Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 4.9 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 338 metric tons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 1.4 km — a useful intuition for the size of the slip patch on the fault.
Earthquake Details
154.2037°E
Technical Information
Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 4.9 earthquake in the Balleny Islands region?
The magnitude 4.9 earthquake that struck in the Balleny Islands region on May 22, 2026 at 08:04 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 -61.6801°, 154.2037°, which is in the Balleny Islands region.
Were there aftershocks?
Aftershock activity is monitored continuously by the USGS. Aftershock sequences from magnitude 4.9 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: us6000szfp). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2026, May 22, 2026). M4.9 Earthquake in the Balleny Islands region — May 22, 2026. Retrieved May 22, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us6000szfp/