M4.6 Earthquake in the South Sandwich Islands region — March 27, 2026
2026-03-27 20:10:43 UTC (2026-03-27) · approx. 6:10 PM UTC-2 local
On March 27, 2026 at 20:10 UTC, a magnitude 4.6 intermediate depth earthquake struck in the South Sandwich Islands region, at a depth of 103.7 km and coordinates -57.0534°, -26.4051°. This earthquake was detected by 37 seismic stations with good 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.
The epicenter is located in South Sandwich Islands, a region characterized by the South Sandwich Trench, one of Earth's most remote subduction zones.
Learn more: Magnitude scale · Aftershock sequences
Earthquake Details
-26.4051°E
Technical Information
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Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 4.6 earthquake in the South Sandwich Islands region?
The magnitude 4.6 earthquake that struck in the South Sandwich Islands region on March 27, 2026 at 20:10 UTC had a depth of 103.7 km. For context, this was a light earthquake commonly felt near the epicenter.
Where did the earthquake occur?
The earthquake epicenter was located at -57.0534°, -26.4051°, which is in the South Sandwich Islands region.
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: us7000s88b). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2026, March 27, 2026). M4.6 Earthquake in the South Sandwich Islands region — March 27, 2026. Retrieved May 15, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us7000s88b/