Shallow M6.0 earthquake hits near Bristol Island, South Sandwich Islands

A strong earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.0 hit South Sandwich Islands at 08:07 UTC on September 4, 2017. The agency is reporting a depth of 35 km (21.7 miles). EMSC is reporting M6.1 at a depth of 80 km (49.7 miles).

According to the USGS, the epicenter was located 149 km (92 miles) NNE of Bristol Island, South Sandwich Islands, 2 501.3 km (1628.7 miles) SSW of Edinburgh of the Seven Seas (population 271), Saint Helena, and 2 621.2 km (1 628.7 miles) E of Ushuaia (population 58 028), Argentina.

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

Tsunami is not expected.

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

South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (SGSSI) is a British overseas territory in the southern Atlantic Ocean. It is a remote and inhospitable collection of islands, consisting of South Georgia and a chain of smaller islands known as the South Sandwich Islands. South Georgia is 165 km (103 miles) long and 1 to 35 km (1 to 22 miles) wide and is by far the largest island in the territory. The South Sandwich Islands lie about 700 km (430 miles) southeast of South Georgia. The territory's total land area is 3 903 square kilometers (1 507 sq mi). The Falkland Islands are about 1 300 km (810 miles) north-west from its nearest point.

There is no permanent population on the islands. The present inhabitants are the British Government Officer, Deputy Postmaster, scientists, and support staff from the British Antarctic Survey who maintain scientific bases at Bird Island and at the capital, King Edward Point, as well as museum staff at nearby Grytviken.

Featured image credit: USGS