5.2

M5.2 Earthquake near northern Mid-Atlantic RidgeSeptember 21, 2025

2025-09-21 16:59:27 UTC (2025-09-21) · approx. 1:59 PM UTC-3 local

MagnitudeM5.2(mww)
Time16:59 UTC1:59 PM UTC-3
Depth10.0 kmshallow crustal
Coordinates29.593°, -42.533°
Felt byNo felt reports
Status✓ Reviewed by USGS

On September 21, 2025 at 16:59 UTC, a magnitude 5.2 shallow crustal earthquake struck near northern Mid-Atlantic Ridge, at a depth of 10.0 km and coordinates 29.5925°, -42.5327°. This earthquake was detected by 39 seismic stations with excellent location accuracy and was assigned a USGS significance rating of 416, placing it among routine seismic activity.

Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 5.2 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 951 metric tons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 2.3 km — a useful intuition for the size of the slip patch on the fault.

Map showing earthquake epicenter at 29.59°, -42.53°

Earthquake Details

Magnitude
5.2 mww
Depth
10.0 km
shallow crustal
Location
29.5925°N
-42.5327°E

Technical Information

Event ID
us7000qxq0
Event Type
earthquake
Status
✓ Reviewed
Significance
416
Stations Used
39
Azimuthal Gap
79.0°
Min Station Distance
23.835°
RMS Residual
0.70 sec
Last Updated
2025-12-06 16:00:27 UTC

Common Questions

How strong was the magnitude 5.2 earthquake near northern Mid-Atlantic Ridge?

The magnitude 5.2 earthquake that struck near northern Mid-Atlantic Ridge on September 21, 2025 at 16:59 UTC had a depth of 10.0 km. For context, this was a moderate earthquake that could be widely felt.

Where did the earthquake occur?

The earthquake epicenter was located at 29.5925°, -42.5327°, which is near northern Mid-Atlantic Ridge.

Were there aftershocks?

Aftershock activity is monitored continuously by the USGS. Aftershock sequences from magnitude 5.2 earthquakes can continue for days to weeks 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: us7000qxq0). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.

Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2025, September 21, 2025). M5.2 Earthquake near northern Mid-Atlantic RidgeSeptember 21, 2025. Retrieved May 28, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us7000qxq0/