Moderate M 5.1 Earthquake Recorded Near South Shetland Islands
A magnitude 5.1 earthquake occurred in the South Shetland Islands region on March 23, 2026. The shallow seismic event was recorded at a depth of 10 kilometers.
What Happened
A moderate earthquake with a magnitude of 5.1 mb was recorded in the South Shetland Islands on Monday, March 23, 2026, at 01:15:54 UTC. The seismic event occurred at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers.
Location Details
The earthquake was centered at coordinates 61.1312°S and 56.134°W. This location is situated within the South Shetland Islands. The depth of 10 kilometers is classified as shallow; shallow earthquakes (less than 20km) are typically felt more intensely at the surface than deeper events, though the impact is mitigated by the remote nature of this region.
Impact Assessment
According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), there is no tsunami advisory, watch, or warning in effect following this event. No felt reports have been submitted to the USGS at this time, and there is no specific alert level color assigned to this event in the source data.
What You Should Know
A magnitude 5.1 event is classified as a moderate earthquake. While such events can cause damage to poorly constructed buildings in populated areas, the South Shetland Islands are largely remote. Residents or research personnel in the vicinity should remain aware of the possibility of aftershocks, which are routine following a moderate seismic event.
Source
Information for this report was provided by the USGS Earthquake Hazards Program.
Source: USGS Official Notice