Very strong and shallow M7.1 earthquake hits north of Ascension Island

A very strong and shallow earthquake registered by the USGS as M7.1 hit north of Ascension Island, central Atlantic Ocean at 04:29 UTC on August 29, 2016. The agency is reporting a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles). EMSC is reporting Mw7.1 at a depth of 18 km (11.2 miles).

The epicenter was located 951.3 km (591.1 miles) NNW of Georgetown (population 538), Ascension, 1038.8 km (645.5 miles) SW of Robertsport (population 11 969), Liberia, and 1049.5 km (652.1 miles) SW of Monrovia (population 939 524), Liberia.

There are no people living within 100 km (62 miles).

USGS issued a green alert for shaking-related fatalities and economic losses. There is a low likelihood of casualties and damage.

There are likely to be no affected structures in this region.

Based on the earthquake location near the mid-Atlantic ridge, a widespread damaging tsunami is not expected, NTWC said.

Tsunami maximum wave height. Source: JRC

Estimated population exposure to earthquake shaking

*Estimated exposure only includes population within map area (k = x1,000)
Modified Mercalli Intensity (MMI) scale

Featured image credit: USGS