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M5.8 Depth: 120.0 km

M5.8 Earthquake near South Sandwich Islands Region

UTC time: 2026-05-20 23:01:00 UTC Local time: —

About this earthquake

A magnitude M5.8 earthquake was recorded near South Sandwich Islands Region on May 20, 2026 at 23:01 UTC. At around 120 km, the focal depth places this among intermediate-depth events. Earthquakes of this magnitude can damage poorly built structures.

The event was recorded by GFZ.

Details

Magnitude
M5.8
Depth
120.0 km
UTC time
2026-05-20 23:01:00 UTC
Local time
—
Country
—
Source
gfz
Coordinates
-56.11000, -27.97000
Temperature
-1.6°C

Map

Depth profile

Depth profile Depth: 120 km (Intermediate) Surface Shallow Intermediate Deep 0 km 70 km 300 km 700 km 120 km
Intermediate
120 km
Why depth matters

Intermediate-depth quakes are felt across a wider area but usually cause less surface damage.

Depth classes per USGS

Nearby population centers

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

PlaceDistanceDirectionPopulation
Grytviken578.4 kmW2

GeoNames · CC BY 4.0

Volcanoes nearby

  • Protector Seamounts
    Distance: 25 km ·Volcanic field ·Elevation: -55 m ·Last eruption: 1962 ·United Kingdom
  • Zavodovski
    Distance: 33 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 551 m ·Last eruption: 2016 ·United Kingdom
  • Leskov Island
    Distance: 62 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 190 m ·United Kingdom
  • Hodson
    Distance: 83 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 835 m ·United Kingdom
  • Candlemas Island
    Distance: 134 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 550 m ·Last eruption: 1911 ·United Kingdom
  • Saunders
    Distance: 208 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 hours4
First 72 hours4
Strongest subsequent eventM5.2
M4.72026-05-21 08:37:02 UTC28.7 kmSOUTH SANDWICH ISLANDS REGION M5.02026-05-21 08:37:03 UTC31.3 kmSouth Sandwich Islands Region M4.72026-05-21 08:37:05 UTC18.8 kmSouth Sandwich Islands region M4.72026-05-21 08:37:05 UTC18.8 kmSouth Sandwich Islands region M4.82026-05-28 15:07:48 UTC94.1 kmSOUTH SANDWICH ISLANDS REGION M4.72026-06-15 22:38:35 UTC119.9 kmSouth Sandwich Islands region M5.02026-06-16 13:36:52 UTC38.0 kmSouth Sandwich Islands M5.02026-06-16 13:36:52 UTC37.5 kmTierra del Fuego M4.92026-06-16 17:13:06 UTC126.2 kmSouth Sandwich Islands Region M5.02026-06-16 17:13:08 UTC121.4 kmSouth Sandwich Islands Region M4.82026-06-16 17:13:10 UTC105.0 kmSouth Sandwich Islands region M4.92026-06-17 19:48:25 UTC127.8 kmSOUTH SANDWICH ISLANDS REGION

Historical context nearby

Comparison with recorded earthquakes before this event within 150 km.

Magnitude rank#4
Earlier events M≥4119
Earlier events M≥576
Compared since2025-01-01

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

Strongest earlier events

M6.12025-01-01 13:48:24 UTC84.9 kmSouth Sandwich Islands region M6.02026-05-20 23:00:49 UTC45.2 kmSouth Sandwich Islands M5.92025-03-14 23:42:32 UTC64.8 kmSouth Sandwich Islands region M5.72026-05-20 23:00:58 UTC5.0 km M5.72025-03-27 00:41:25 UTC34.9 kmSouth Sandwich Islands region

Stats (last 24h)

Global (24h)
656
Country (24h)
—
—
Current earthquakes in
Magnitude Place Local time
No recent events available.

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