M5.1 Earthquake near Drake Passage — December 26, 2025
2025-12-26 04:44:01 UTC (2025-12-26) · approx. 12:44 AM UTC-4 local
On December 26, 2025 at 04:44 UTC, a magnitude 5.1 shallow crustal earthquake struck near Drake Passage, at a depth of 10.0 km and coordinates -60.2506°, -61.8560°. This earthquake was detected by 64 seismic stations with good location accuracy and was assigned a USGS significance rating of 400, placing it among routine seismic activity.
Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 5.1 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 674 metric tons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 2.0 km — a useful intuition for the size of the slip patch on the fault.
Earthquake Details
-61.8560°E
Technical Information
Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 5.1 earthquake near Drake Passage?
The magnitude 5.1 earthquake that struck near Drake Passage on December 26, 2025 at 04:44 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 -60.2506°, -61.8560°, which is near Drake Passage.
Were there aftershocks?
Aftershock activity is monitored continuously by the USGS. Aftershock sequences from magnitude 5.1 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: us7000rkup). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2025, December 26, 2025). M5.1 Earthquake near Drake Passage — December 26, 2025. Retrieved May 23, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us7000rkup/