M5.6 Depth: 36.8 km

M5.6 Earthquake near South Sandwich Islands region

UTC time: 2025-03-18 22:52:34 UTC Local time:

About this earthquake

On March 18, 2025 at 22:52 UTC, a magnitude M5.6 earthquake occurred near South Sandwich Islands region. With a focal depth of about 37 km, this was a shallow earthquake, whose shaking is usually felt more strongly at the surface. Events of this size can cause damage near the epicenter.

The event was recorded by USGS.

Details

Magnitude
M5.6
Depth
36.8 km
UTC time
2025-03-18 22:52:34 UTC
Local time
Country
Source
usgs
Coordinates
-55.37800, -28.90520

Map

Depth profile

Depth profile Depth: 36.8 km (Shallow) Surface Shallow Intermediate Deep 0 km 70 km 300 km 700 km 36.8 km
Shallow
36.8 km
Why depth matters

Shallow quakes release energy near the surface — shaking is felt more strongly and damage potential is higher.

Depth classes per USGS

Nearby population centers

Distances are straight-line distances from the epicenter. Population data: GeoNames.

PlaceDistanceDirectionPopulation
Grytviken501.8 kmW2

GeoNames · CC BY 4.0

Volcanoes nearby

  • Protector Seamounts
    Distance: 75 km ·Volcanic field ·Elevation: -55 m ·Last eruption: 1962 ·United Kingdom
  • Zavodovski
    Distance: 132 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 551 m ·Last eruption: 2016 ·United Kingdom
  • Leskov Island
    Distance: 150 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 190 m ·United Kingdom
  • Hodson
    Distance: 183 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 835 m ·United Kingdom
  • Candlemas Island
    Distance: 234 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 550 m ·Last eruption: 1911 ·United Kingdom
  • Saunders
    Distance: 307 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 843 m ·Last eruption: 2026 ·United Kingdom

Subsequent earthquakes nearby

Events recorded after this earthquake within 150 km. They are not automatically classified as aftershocks.

First 6 hours1
First 24 hours1
First 72 hours2
Strongest subsequent eventM5.7

Historical context nearby

Comparison with recorded earthquakes before this event within 150 km.

Magnitude rank#2
Earlier events M≥416
Earlier events M≥52
Compared since2025-01-01

The QuakeMap24 comparison dataset begins on 2024-03-23. Earlier earthquakes may not be included.

Strongest earlier events

Stats (last 24h)

Global (24h)
671
Country (24h)
Current earthquakes in
Magnitude Place Local time
No recent events available.

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