4.6

M4.6 Earthquake near Mid-Indian RidgeFebruary 16, 2026

2026-02-16 22:08:16 UTC (2026-02-16) · approx. 3:08 AM UTC+5 local

MagnitudeM4.6(mb)
Time22:08 UTC3:08 AM UTC+5
Depth10.0 kmshallow crustal
Coordinates-21.854°, 69.211°
Felt byNo felt reports
Status✓ Reviewed by USGS

On February 16, 2026 at 22:08 UTC, a magnitude 4.6 shallow crustal earthquake struck near Mid-Indian Ridge, at a depth of 10.0 km and coordinates -21.8540°, 69.2111°. This earthquake was detected by 18 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.

Map showing earthquake epicenter at -21.85°, 69.21°

Earthquake Details

Magnitude
4.6 mb
Depth
10.0 km
shallow crustal
Location
-21.8540°N
69.2111°E

Technical Information

Event ID
us7000s1gq
Event Type
earthquake
Status
✓ Reviewed
Significance
326
Stations Used
18
Azimuthal Gap
84.0°
Min Station Distance
20.633°
RMS Residual
0.86 sec
Last Updated
2026-05-06 17:53:58 UTC

Common Questions

How strong was the magnitude 4.6 earthquake near Mid-Indian Ridge?

The magnitude 4.6 earthquake that struck near Mid-Indian Ridge on February 16, 2026 at 22:08 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 -21.8540°, 69.2111°, which is near Mid-Indian Ridge.

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: us7000s1gq). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.

Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2026, February 16, 2026). M4.6 Earthquake near Mid-Indian RidgeFebruary 16, 2026. Retrieved May 13, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us7000s1gq/