M4.5 Earthquake 73 km ESE of Sucúa, Ecuador — May 23, 2026
2026-05-23 08:44:52 UTC (5 hours ago) · approx. 3:44 AM UTC-5 local
On May 23, 2026 at 08:44 UTC, a magnitude 4.5 intermediate depth earthquake struck 73 km ESE of Sucúa, Ecuador, at a depth of 114.6 km and coordinates -2.6369°, -77.5345°. This earthquake was detected by 84 seismic stations with good location accuracy and was assigned a USGS significance rating of 312, placing it among routine seismic activity.
Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 4.5 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 85 metric tons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 767 m — a useful intuition for the size of the slip patch on the fault.
Earthquake Details
-77.5345°E
Technical Information
Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 4.5 earthquake near Sucúa, Ecuador?
The magnitude 4.5 earthquake that struck 73 km ESE of Sucúa, Ecuador on May 23, 2026 at 08:44 UTC had a depth of 114.6 km. For context, this was a light earthquake commonly felt near the epicenter.
Where did the earthquake occur?
The earthquake epicenter was located at -2.6369°, -77.5345°, which is 73 km ESE of Sucúa, Ecuador.
Were there aftershocks?
Aftershock activity is monitored continuously by the USGS. Aftershock sequences from magnitude 4.5 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: us6000szp0). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2026, May 23, 2026). M4.5 Earthquake 73 km ESE of Sucúa, Ecuador — May 23, 2026. Retrieved May 23, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us6000szp0/