M4.2 Earthquake in the Chagos Archipelago region — March 15, 2026
2026-03-15 20:10:58 UTC (2026-03-15) · approx. 1:10 AM UTC+5 local
On March 15, 2026 at 20:10 UTC, a magnitude 4.2 shallow crustal earthquake struck in the Chagos Archipelago region, at a depth of 10.0 km and coordinates -6.7473°, 72.1783°.
Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 4.2 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 30 metric tons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 476 m — a useful intuition for the size of the slip patch on the fault.
This earthquake is part of an ongoing aftershock sequence following the magnitude 5.2 mainshock that occurred 18 days ago in the Chagos Archipelago region. Since the mainshock, the USGS has recorded 1 aftershocks in this area. Aftershock activity is expected to continue for days to weeks as stresses on surrounding faults redistribute.
Earthquake Details
72.1783°E
Technical Information
Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 4.2 earthquake in the Chagos Archipelago region?
The magnitude 4.2 earthquake that struck in the Chagos Archipelago region on March 15, 2026 at 20:10 UTC had a depth of 10.0 km. For context, this was a light earthquake commonly felt near the epicenter.
Were there aftershocks?
Aftershock activity is monitored continuously by the USGS. Aftershock sequences from magnitude 4.2 earthquakes can continue for several days and gradually diminish over time.
Is this the same earthquake as the M5.2 one earlier?
No. This magnitude 4.2 earthquake is an aftershock of the larger magnitude 5.2 mainshock that occurred earlier in the Chagos Archipelago region. Aftershocks are smaller earthquakes triggered by stress changes from the mainshock.
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Understanding This Data
Magnitude 4.2 earthquakes are often felt but rarely cause damage.
Authoritative source: USGS event page (event ID: us7000s7sd). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2026, March 15, 2026). M4.2 Earthquake in the Chagos Archipelago region — March 15, 2026. Retrieved May 26, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us7000s7sd/