Very strong M7.3 earthquake at intermediate depth hits South Sandwich Islands region
A very strong earthquake registered by the USGS as M7.3 hit the South Sandwich Islands region at 09:47 UTC on May 28, 2016. The agency is reporting a depth of 93.2 km (57.9 miles). EMSC is reporting Mw7.2 at a depth of 90 km (56 miles).
According to the USGS, the epicenter was located 58 km (36 miles) NNE of Visokoi Island, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, and 2 581 km (1 603.8 miles) ESE of Ushuaia, Argentina.
There are no people living within 100 km (62 miles).
Based on all available data, there is no tsunami threat from this earthquake, PTWC said.
USGS issued a green alert for shaking-related fatalities and economic losses. There is a low likelihood of casualties and damage.
Overall, the population in this region resides in structures that are vulnerable to earthquake shaking, though some resistant structures exist.
Estimated population exposure to earthquake shaking
*Estimated exposure only includes population within map area (k = x1,000)
Modified Mercalli Intensity (MMI) scale
After deep M6.6 earthquake that hit Fiji region at 05:38 UTC today, this is the second M6.6+ earthquake of the day and the third M6.4+ earthquake in the last 48 hours.
The last time this region experienced M6+ earthquake was on February 17, 2015. It was registered as M6.2 earthquake on the Richter scale at a shallow depth of 10 km (6.2 miles). The epicenter was located 145 km (90 miles) NNW of Visokoi Island, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands.
Featured image credit: USGS
If you value what we do here, create your ad-free account and support our journalism.
Your support makes a difference
Dear valued reader,
We hope that our website has been a valuable resource for you.
The reality is that it takes a lot of time, effort, and resources to maintain and grow this website. We rely on the support of readers like you to keep providing high-quality content.
If you have found our website to be helpful, please consider making a contribution to help us continue to bring you the information you need. Your support means the world to us and helps us to keep doing what we love.
Support us by choosing your support level – Silver, Gold or Platinum. Other support options include Patreon pledges and sending us a one-off payment using PayPal.
Thank you for your consideration. Your support is greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
Teo Blašković
I was confused by the reference to the Sandwich Islands, which is what the Hawai’ian Islands used to be called. Looks like this might be the mid-Atlantic ridge moving apart.