4.5

M4.5 Earthquake near northern Mid-Atlantic RidgeMarch 19, 2026

2026-03-19 21:26:38 UTC (2026-03-19) · approx. 6:26 PM UTC-3 local

MagnitudeM4.5(mb)
Time21:26 UTC6:26 PM UTC-3
Depth10.0 kmshallow crustal
Coordinates13.351°, -45.487°
Felt byNo felt reports
Status✓ Reviewed by USGS

On March 19, 2026 at 21:26 UTC, a magnitude 4.5 shallow crustal earthquake struck near northern Mid-Atlantic Ridge, at a depth of 10.0 km and coordinates 13.3514°, -45.4875°. This earthquake was detected by 17 seismic stations with moderate 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.

Map showing earthquake epicenter at 13.35°, -45.49°

Earthquake Details

Magnitude
4.5 mb
Depth
10.0 km
shallow crustal
Location
13.3514°N
-45.4875°E

Technical Information

Event ID
us7000s871
Event Type
earthquake
Status
✓ Reviewed
Significance
312
Stations Used
17
Azimuthal Gap
206.0°
Min Station Distance
10.811°
RMS Residual
0.98 sec
Last Updated
2026-04-13 04:00:54 UTC

Common Questions

How strong was the magnitude 4.5 earthquake near northern Mid-Atlantic Ridge?

The magnitude 4.5 earthquake that struck near northern Mid-Atlantic Ridge on March 19, 2026 at 21:26 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 13.3514°, -45.4875°, which is near northern Mid-Atlantic Ridge.

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: us7000s871). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.

Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2026, March 19, 2026). M4.5 Earthquake near northern Mid-Atlantic RidgeMarch 19, 2026. Retrieved May 20, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us7000s871/