M5.9 Earthquake near South Sandwich Islands region

UTC time: 2025-03-14 23:42:32 UTC Local time: —
Earthquake newsQuakeMap24
Archive record · original publication time was not recorded

Automatically generated from measurement data by QuakeMap24. Values may change after further analysis.

Magnitude
M5.9
Depth
13.0 km
Source
USGS

South Sandwich Islands region

Map

M5.9 Earthquake near South Sandwich Islands region · 2025-03-14 — Map showing the location of the epicenter
M5.9 Earthquake near South Sandwich Islands region · 2025-03-14 — Map showing the location of the epicenter

About this earthquake

On March 14, 2025 at 23:42 UTC, a magnitude M5.9 earthquake occurred near South Sandwich Islands region. With a focal depth of about 13 km, this was a shallow earthquake, whose shaking is usually felt more strongly at the surface. Earthquakes of this magnitude can damage poorly built structures.

The event was recorded by USGS.

Details

ID
49c15befd62362867467b74ed297b740031adcdb
Magnitude
M5.9
Depth
13.0 km
UTC time
2025-03-14 23:42:32 UTC
Local time
—
Country
—
Source
usgs
Coordinates
-55.81770, -27.07000

Depth profile

Depth profile Depth: 13 km (Shallow) Surface Shallow Intermediate Deep 0 km 70 km 300 km 700 km 13 km
Shallow
13 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
Grytviken624.5 kmW2

GeoNames · CC BY 4.0

Volcanoes nearby

  • Distance: 62 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 551 m ·Last eruption: 2016 ·United Kingdom
  • Distance: 69 km ·Volcanic field ·Elevation: -55 m ·Last eruption: 1962 ·United Kingdom
  • Distance: 100 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 835 m ·United Kingdom
  • Distance: 114 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 190 m ·United Kingdom
  • Distance: 142 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 550 m ·Last eruption: 1911 ·United Kingdom
  • Distance: 223 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 hours0
First 24 hours0
First 72 hours1
Strongest subsequent eventM5.7

Comparison of seismic sources

2 sources currently report magnitudes from M5.9 to M6.0.

Measurements can differ because agencies use different networks and calculation methods. Values may be revised.

SourceMagnitudeDepthPosition difference
USPM6.010.0 km10.5 km
USGSM5.913.0 km0.0 km

No unambiguous area assignment

Context for this earthquake

This event has no unambiguous country assignment in the analysed catalogue. It is therefore not assigned to a regional profile.

Earthquake overview

Historical context nearby

Comparison with recorded earthquakes before this event within 150 km.

Magnitude rank#3
Earlier events M≥426
Earlier events M≥57
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)
618
Country (24h)
—
—
Current earthquakes in
Magnitude Place Local time
No recent events available.

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