M5.1 Earthquake in the Prince Edward Islands region — April 29, 2026
2026-04-29 16:11:26 UTC (2 hours ago) · approx. 6:11 PM UTC+2 local
Aftershock of the M5.2 mainshock.
On April 29, 2026 at 16:11 UTC, a magnitude 5.1 shallow crustal earthquake struck in the Prince Edward Islands region, at a depth of 10.0 km and coordinates -44.6520°, 37.4301°. This earthquake was detected by 99 seismic stations with excellent 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.
This earthquake is part of an ongoing aftershock sequence following the magnitude 5.2 mainshock that occurred 2 hours ago in the Prince Edward Islands region. Since the mainshock, the USGS has recorded 3 aftershocks in this area. Aftershock activity is expected to continue for days to weeks as stresses on surrounding faults redistribute.
Earthquake Details
37.4301°E
Technical Information
Nearby Earthquakes (Last 7 Days)
Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 5.1 earthquake in the Prince Edward Islands region?
The magnitude 5.1 earthquake that struck in the Prince Edward Islands region on April 29, 2026 at 16:11 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 -44.6520°, 37.4301°, which is in the Prince Edward Islands region.
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.
Is this the same earthquake as the M5.2 one earlier?
No. This magnitude 5.1 earthquake is an aftershock of the larger magnitude 5.2 mainshock that occurred earlier in the Prince Edward Islands region. Aftershocks are smaller earthquakes triggered by stress changes from the mainshock.
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: us7000sh18). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2026, April 29, 2026). M5.1 Earthquake in the Prince Edward Islands region — April 29, 2026. Retrieved April 29, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us7000sh18/